Katherine Minola is a succesful politician, tipped for the leadership of her party. The only problem is, her awful temper has left her a 38 year old singleton, and everyone, from her party chairman to her sister, wants her to get married. Is passionate eccentric Petruchio the answer to her prayers?
Shirley Henderson, Rufus Sewell, Jaime Murray, Stephen Tompkinson, Twiggy Lawson and David Mitchell star in Sally Wainwright's updating of Shakespeare's comedy about the battle of the sexes.
Katherine is a workaholic, ball-breaking politician, tipped for the leadership of her party. There's nothing feminine or touchy-feely about her - she's blunt and rude, very unlike her glamorous mother and sister.
Unfortunately for Kate's political ambitions, the electorate like their politicians married. So when eccentric aristocrat Petruchio appears on the scene searching for a wife, he's seems like the perfect answer. But with both of them used to getting their own way, their relationship is bound to be an explosive one.
Katherine Minola
I think this 2005 retold Shakespeare film was a very good and funny interpretation of the original play. Each character had there own individual stories based on them throughout the film and how all it all linked to Katherine (Kate). Katherine is one of the main characters in the film who was originally named Katherina in the 16th century play which was thought to be around the date of 1589-1591 and his first written comedy. Katherine shows many aspects of being a reflection of a new Elizabethan and also slightly mirroring Queen Elizabeth 1. Katherine was quite a harsh woman and made decisions based on what was best for her and also the position of work she was in; a politician. She felt like she was a strong intendant woman as she was one of the few who came to that position and being a women. This is very similar to the fact that Queen Elizabeth 1 tried to be very independent as being woman to the throne and ruling the country. She looked up to her father Henry the 8th who had passed during her reign and tried to become a strong ruler of the country like her father. Katherine in this film has no father figure and is constantly surrounded by women from her family and men in her work area. In her work place many people are frightened of Katherine because's she's so loud and speaks her mind, i think this is because she doesn't want to be taken advantage of and wants to prove she's a strong independent women and doesn't need a man to help her. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 she was declared married to her country and spoke out how she doesn't need a man to rule by her side this was during the time Queen Elizabeth 1 was declared a virgin Queen. In the film 'The Taming of the Shrew' Katherine was known by many people to be a virgin this is because she was dedicated to her work and never wanted a man. Many clothing items fall under the line of the new Elizabethan, Katherine suit was nipped in the middle and her collar was open, her parting was in the centre however slightly off, these all give off modern interpretations of the era.  |
| Duc d'Anjou |
Petruchio
Petruchio is another main character in the 2005 film who vaguely represents a new Elizabethan. Since watching the 1998 film Elizabeth and comparing the characters to 'The Taming of the Shrew' I can merely connect some of the characters. Firslty when I saw Petruchio he reminded me of Sir Robert Dudly. This was purley because he very ,much wanted to marry Elizabeth and asked her hand multiple times.. Later on Dudly turned out to be a scam, and this was very similar with the character Petruchio as he only married her for his friends sake and wanted her money however eventually fell madly in love with her. Another character I feel that portrays Petruchio very much so is Duc d'Anjou whom is from France and doesn't really love her but its all for there countries to be united. Katherine firstly only wants to marry Petruchio because he has a title and her can help her boost her career once they were married. In fact people thought if Elizabeth married Duc d'Anjou then all the peace between the countries would be sorted and she could rule on with a King. During Katherines wedding she is waiting for her husband to be to arrive at the alter when he turns up drunk and wearing women's clothing, which was silk and a long draping over coat. Kate is shocked and tries to take the mickey and make a joke out the situation, however still carries on with the wedding because she wants to be married. In the Elizabeth 1 1998 film, Queen Elizabeth is having a grand party and wonders were Duc d'Anjou is, when she walks into the other room she finds him, drunk and in full women's clothing, this again was a shock and Elizabeth creates a joke from the situation. |
| Petruchio at the alter in woman's clothes |
I feel these characters all slightly portray different Elizabethan characters in one way or another, The alterations of the clothes and style portray New Elizabethan and the film has created a modern interpretation of the film and I think Shakespeare created an interpretation of a comedy story based around Queen Elizabeth and the era. There individual personalities portray Elizabethan characteristics in an throughout the film through the script, clothing, hair and behaviour.
photographic and information research-
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453555/
http://www.bl.uk/treasures/shakespeare/taming.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/shakespeare/tamingoftheshrew/shirley_henderson.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/shakespeare/tamingoftheshrew/
http://www.shakespearefilms.com/the-taming-of-the-shrew-shakespeare-retold/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0127536/
http://rufussewell.proboards.com/thread/1905/hello-another-newbie?page=2
http://www.pinterest.com/Mpespectives/costume-research-elizabeth/
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