Transformation of Women from Silent Lambs to Rational Nightingales in Shakespeare’s Play “Taming of the Shrew” and its Modern Re-Writing “Vinegar Girl”

Abstract

Throughout the centuries, every individual living in society takes certain bias and beliefs into centre. These beliefs determine the way they treat each other and play a crucial role in daily life. Gender as a notion affects general perception of women’s role at this point. In this study, the subject matter of gender inequality and discrimination will be handled in Shakespeare’s well-known play “Taming Of The Shrew” and its modern interpretation named “Vinegar Girl” in terms of representation of women according to social codes. Thus, the difference between sex and gender will be firstly examined in a detailed way. As a debated matter, gender is a social construct whereas sex is based on biological level. Then, the universality of Shakespeare’s plays are still there since the social regulations and codes have validity in the modern world. In this sense, no matter how many years have passed, the characters in the novel of “Vinegar Girl” present the issue of discrimination and inequality between women and men on social level. The aim of this study is to highlight accepted role of women in society through various discourses, acts and behaviours. For this reason, descriptive research method which describes the features of phenomenon will be used to get necessary information about stated problem. Furthermore, the discussions about women’s perception as gender roles and transformation of them as individuals having a voice on their own in “Vinegar Girl” by a female author will be handled and presented to the reader by comparing this contemporary version to Shakespeare’s specific play.