Comparing Shakespeare's Katharina, from The Taming of the Shrew and Beatrice, from Much Ado About NothingShakespeare's Katharina, from The Taming of the Shrew and Beatrice, from Much Ado About Nothing, are very similar characters. Each is plagued by unrequited love and depressed by their inability to woo the suitor of their choice. Neither will accept the passive feminine role expected by society. Yet both women seem to accept their role as wives by the conclusion. On closer inspection, we will discover that Beatrice is a much more complex character. One would have to agree with the reviewer who said: “Katharina is a boldly and quickly drawn character, without the sophistication, verbal brilliance or emotional depth of Beatrice. » In Taming of the Shrew, the first introduction to Katharina, by Gremio and Hortensio say that she is a shrew (1.I.54-60) and that she will never find a groom. When she first speaks, we see her responding to these insults, but she was provoked so her words seem appropriate. Yet as the play continues, we see Katharina tie up Bianca (2.I.29) and beat her. This can be dismissed as sibling rivalry, but later Katharina slaps Petruchio when he tries to woo her (2.I.214). Katharina seems to have a physically violent side that is not present in Beatrice. She also doesn't seem to have as strong a character as Beatrice, especially considering that Petruchio managed to tame her in a very short time. In the opening scene of Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice says harsh things about Benedick (1.I.37-43). She seems unprovoked but very rigid in her opinion about him. In Leonato's house, the discussion about Beatrice and marriage leads his uncle to conclude that "You...... middle of paper ......y is important. But the most important thing to note is that the weaker of the two has changed her attitudes, beliefs and actions in order to become a better wife for her husband. Both women seem happy, as do the men, and like most of the conclusions of Shakespeare's plays, all of them. details are related. Barton, Anne. The Riverside Shakespeare, 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1997. Dash, Irene G. “Courting, Marriage, and Power: Women in Shakespeare’s Plays.” "The Critical Perspective Volume 2. Ed. Harold Bloom New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Shakespeare, William The Taming of the Shrew Logan, IA: The Perfection Form Company, 1996. Shakespeare, William Much Ado About Nothing; Press; New York, NY ; 1995