Siani+Widman

By day a Shrew and by night an Ogre Comparison of Shrek 2 and "Taming of the Shrew"

"The Taming of the Shrew" manifests the idea that parents only wants what best for their child and men would do anything for the person they love. In the play, "Shrew", the handsome and in some way wise men, Lucentio and Hortensio are competing for the love of Bianca. In the 2004 animation, "Shrek 2," the main and new comely characters, Shrek and Prince Charming determine to do the same. However, Fionna is already married, to Shrek and her parents wish to find someone better -- not an ogre.

Lucentio and Shrek seem to be the same. They share the same motive and intuition in their stories, however, their conditions are entirely different. Lucentio is in love with Bianca and wants to get to know her more and win her love. He disguises himself into a teacher and is later hired by her father to give Bianca lessons. Similar to the play, Shrek is in love with Fiona but his appearance is not wanted by her family therefore, he later takes a magic potion to make himself human to win her love because Fionna now has a new suitor, Charming. Between the two, they have different versions of love: a love that is just beginning vs. a love that was everlasting. **The text emphasizes that a person would conceal their true identity to gain. That it is considered natural as long as the affects are just. Society is comfortable with disguises as long as it is temporary.**

"If I achieve not this young modest girl. Counsel me, Tranio for I know thou cans't. Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt."

(Act I, Scene I, 158-160)

In this part of the play, Lucentio met Bianca and it's love at first sight. He starts planning to win Bianca's love with his servant Tranio, because he knows that he can trust him and will help him.

Knowing what Fionna has always dreamed of, rather than pretend to be another person like Lucentio, Shrek tries for something different.



In this scene from "Shrek 2," Shrek is curiously thinking of the affects of the potion and how he would look as a human. When finally making up his mind, he tells Donkey "I love her." Compared to Lucentio, he is only doing what he does, for Fionna's well being and love during the movie -- anxiously trying to defend Fionna and his relationship and lifestyle. This sort of lets the audience see the seriousness of his effection.

"//Hic ibat,// as I told you before, //Simois//, I am Lucentio, //hic est//, son unto Vincentio of Pisa, '//Sigeia tellus//,' disguised thus to get your love; //Hic steterat//, and that "Lucentio" that comes a-wooing."

(Act III, Scene I, 33-36)

Lucentio disguises himself into a teacher and is later hired by her father to give Bianca lessons that's split by Hortensio music lesson, who is also disguised as a teacher to win her love. Lucentio, giving Bianca Latin lessons, reveals himself as not the teacher Cambio but the real Lucentio. While he profess his ambition to get her love, Bianca doesn't at all seem to be surprised but let's him know that she doesn't trust him.

Fionna, Shrek's wife, doesn't like the idea of the new version of him..



When Shrek is human Fionna wasn't able to see the real Shrek so Charming disguises himself to be Shrek and flaunts his good looks around all //Far Far Away.// In this scene, Fionna's dad visit's her to get her ready for the ball but she does not wish to go because "Shrek" is different. She watches the pretend Shrek amuse the crowd telling her father, "That is not the man I married..He's completely lost his mind" When he father realizes what she is going through, he gives her some advice: "people change for the ones they love." When he says that Fionna admits that though Shrek has changed, she was in love with "old" Shrek and she'll do anything to get him back. Although, Fionna's father only wants what's best for her, he understands that there is no way to come between them.

Because Shrek doesn't stay human for long and the affects of the potion wore off in the end enhances that society is supportive of masking ones' own identity but opposes a permanent one. Lucentio, by the end of the play is revealed and married to Bianca, promised to his fathers' inheritance; In the end all Shrek has is his wife, support of his friends and family, a better understanding of "true" love and it's significance. The audience is then left knowing that he will continue to live his life, happily ever after. They even have a fiesta at them end and they are happily dancing.