Hmm...that's a hard one just because there's so many possibilities. As far as settings go, turn of the century England might be interesting if you incorporate women's suffrage into the picture and portray Kate as a struggling suffragette fighting for independence from all the overbearing men in her life.
As you know, it all comes down to characterization. Petruchio for example is traditionally portrayed as a con because essentially that's what he is. What kind of con however, is up to you. Maybe he starts off marrying Kate for the money but once he gets to know her a little better he starts to sympathize with her and they slowly begin to understand one another. Eventually Kate realizes that Petruchio is driving her crazy teaching her how to be agreeable so that she can get people in this patriarchal society to do exactly what she wants without realizing that they're doing so. In this case the "taming" is Kate realizing that if she really wants to be independent and make the world a better place, she has to change her methods.
I always thought Ten Things I Hate About You was a really good modern interpretation of the play. It's worth renting if you haven't seen it already. For even more fun, rent Forbidden Planet and compare it with The Tempest. Good times :)
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branchandroot
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Date: 2008-01-15 10:11 am (UTC)As you know, it all comes down to characterization. Petruchio for example is traditionally portrayed as a con because essentially that's what he is. What kind of con however, is up to you. Maybe he starts off marrying Kate for the money but once he gets to know her a little better he starts to sympathize with her and they slowly begin to understand one another. Eventually Kate realizes that Petruchio is driving her crazy teaching her how to be agreeable so that she can get people in this patriarchal society to do exactly what she wants without realizing that they're doing so. In this case the "taming" is Kate realizing that if she really wants to be independent and make the world a better place, she has to change her methods.
I always thought Ten Things I Hate About You was a really good modern interpretation of the play. It's worth renting if you haven't seen it already. For even more fun, rent Forbidden Planet and compare it with The Tempest. Good times :)