In the play, Kate, a strong-willed female is thrown into marriage just so her younger, nice sister, Bianca, can be married off. No one wanted to marry Kate, but it was customary for the oldest daughter to marry first so she got stuck with some random guy she did not really know. In the play, she speaks her mind and does what she can to prove her disapproval. Women in medieval times were compelled to live a very structured, serve the husband whatever he wishes manner; however, along with the renaissance came a rebirth of women's attitudes. They began to speak out more, do things for themselves, gain more rights, and stray away from the traditional role of a woman.

          Shakespeare applies other renaissance characteristics as well. In this time period, there was a huge role of the theater. The Globe theater was built during this time (unfortunately burning down later) where thousands of people, all ages and social status, would gather for entertainment. This proved more enjoyable and an escape from the hard times of the past plague. “The Taming of the Shrew” is one such play offered as entertainment.

Shakespeare was looked at as a key figure in literature in the renaissance era and all his works together, including “The Taming of the Shrew” define the characteristics of the time period.