I confess, I love Katherina Minola.  I love her for her sharp mind and her saucy tongue, both of which were sharply at odds with the expectations of Shakespeare’s time.  Her mousy little sister, Bianca, is a far better representation of the ideal Elizabethan woman.

From an Elizabethan man‘s perspective, that is.

Kate is more of a woman’s woman.  Padua called her a shrew, so she embraced the title, made it her own and wore it as lesser women might wear tiaras.

Petruchio called Kate a wasp, and she reminded him that a wasp can sting.  That simple line is the perfect motto for the character.  Indeed, Kate has the ability to sting, and so she does.  It is her only defense, and she uses it to her advantage.

Although today we must still fight for many of our rights, we are at least more fortunate than Kate.  Still, that motto might also serve us very well.

“If I be waspish, best beware my sting!”

Let it be a reminder of the plight of all of our sisters who have paved the way for us.

Let it remind us that, like Kate, we are entitled to our opinions–and the right to voice them.

Let it show all the world that we are not powerless, nor are we the weaker sex.