Ashley+Weekes

It's Only Useful If You're On Some Serious Drugs // NOT // When You're Incapable of Finding Love
//Comparing Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" to the movie "Because I Said So"// In Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" Baptista, father of Katherine and Bianca seeks out marriage for his eldest daughter, Katherine a.k.a "The Shrew." Since Katherine doesn't have any suitors, due to her shrewish behavior, the first man who shows an interest in her is the man Baptista allows to court her and later gives his consent to wed her, turning a blind eye to Katherine's true feelings. In "Because I Said So" Daphne Wilder, single mother of three older daughters, meddles in her youngest daughter's (Milly) love life. Daphne has seen Milly through many bad relationships and believes it is her duty as a mother to prevent this from happening again so she seeks out a man for her daughter in a personal ad online. Leaving Milly under the illusion that she's met this man on her own, when in reality her mother picked him out for her.

Baptista and Daphne are worried parents who believe that their daughters' personalities are preventing them from finding love. Baptista knows Katherine being a shrew is preventing her from having any suitors. Daphne believes that Milly is too sensitive and possess unflattering qualities, like her outrageous snorting laughter and talking in circles, that prevent her from meeting the right man. As parents they feel sorry for their daughters and want them to be happy in their quest for love, so they interfere, as concerned parents do--without considering the feelings of their daughters. Baptista clings to the idea that someone may actually desire his shrew of a daughter and Daphne seeks out "The One" for her daughter.

During the Shakespearean era parental interference was perfectly acceptable and had to be followed, but today although parental interference is normal (to a degree) the child can choose to ignore it. The outcome of each parents interference shows that women have gained more control and independence over their lives. Both parents end up influencing the lives of their daughter, while undermining their daughter's actual feelings and thoughts costing them their happiness. Parental interference prevents the son/daughter from living their own lives and causes a strenuous relationship between the parent and child, which can lead to more interference.

= "Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed. = = But be thou armed for some armed for some = = unhappy words." = (Act II, Scene i, 145-146)

In this quote, Baptista warns Petruchio of Katherine's shrewish behavior. Baptista, knowing that his daughter is a shrew believes this is what has prevented her from having any suitors, but knowing that Katherine is so strong-minded warns the man of her ways.



This is a later scene in "Because I Said So" Daphne is walking feverishly behind her daughter trying to keep up and explain to Milly why all her relationships end in heartbreak. "Milly! I love you and you may be brilliant, but your not smart!" Daphne believes Milly's lack of successful relationships is caused by her naivety. She believes her daughter doesn't know what's best for herself, that's why she decides to choose for herself.

**"PETRUCHIO.** Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste, And every day I cannot come to woo. You knew my father well, and in him me, Left solely heir to all his lands and goods, Which I have bettered rather than decreas'd: Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love, What dowry shall I have with her to wife? After my death, the one half of my lands, And in possession twenty thousand crowns.  And, for that dowry, I'll assure her of Her widowhood, be it that she survive me, In all my lands and leases whatsoever. Let specialities be therefore drawn between us, That covenants may be kept on either hand.  Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, That is, her love; for that is all in all"  (Act II, Scene i, 121-136)
 * BAPTISTA.**
 * PETRUCHIO.**
 * BAPTISTA.**

Above Petruchio is asking Baptista permission to court his daughter. They're also discussing the dowries. Baptisita doesn't seem to question Pertruchio's motive for or interest in Katherine. Baptisita knows well that men often take a dislike to Katherine because of her shrewish behavior, but ignores this just to get Katherine married, and in the end causes a lot of mayhem in Katherine's life because he allows this courtship between her and crazy Petruchio.
 * [[image:Picking_Out_A_Suitor_For_Her_Daughter.png width="564" height="435"]] ||

Daphne is interviewing different men who've answered her personal ad for her daughter, which Milly doesn't know about. Jason, the man on the right is the man Daphne chooses for Milly. "He's a very stable, responsible, mature young man." Daphne while interviewing doesn't take into consideration whether his personality is compatible with Milly's or whether they have things in common. Daphne chooses the man for her daughter based off her beliefs of "the perfect man," she believes that he has to have a stable job, be responsible, and mature which Milly doesn't go for in the end.

In the end Milly ends up finding her love, which at first her mother disapproves of, but later learns the motherly love can interfere with her daughter's happiness and thus, changes her mind about the man Milly chooses.