The Taming of the Kat Dog - a Gareth P Jones story inspired by The Taming of the Shrew. Read by Verity-May Henry.
Synopsis
The Taming of the Shrew is Shakespeare鈥檚 controversial 鈥榖attle of the sexes鈥 comedy. The notion of 鈥榯aming鈥 a woman being unsuitable for today鈥檚 audience, Gareth P. Jones in his story The Taming of the Kat Dog, replaces the characters Katherine and Bianca in Shakespeare鈥檚 play with two pedigree dogs from the same litter. Kat is the poorly behaved, feisty pup. Bianca is the delightful pup who breeder Mrs Minola refuses to sell until a willing owner is found for the troublesome Kat. The role of Petruchio istaken by Peter, a young boy who agrees to take ownership of Kat, but plays a number of tricks on her (some very similar to the tricks played by Petruchio on Katherine) until Kat eventually grows into a well-trained puppy, who seems even more responsive to her new owner than Bianca.
Interview with writer Gareth P Jones
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Ideas for use in the classroom
Shakespearean insults
In the original play, the war between Kate and Petruchio results in some of Shakespeare鈥檚 most waspish banter. Children could imagine that they are Kate or Petruchio at the start of their relationship and insult each other. Pick and mix Shakespearean insults are huge fun. A printable template can be found at the website PlayingWithPlays: Have children create insults and incorporate these in drama activities based on the story.
English
This version of the story modernises the tale and removes some of the archaic elements of the relationship between men and women. After listening to the broadcast, give out the summary of the original story below and see if children can spot similarities and differences between the two texts. This could lead to some interesting discussions. Why might this play be considered a 鈥榩roblem play鈥 today? Why did the author change the play to make it about an owner and dog rather than husband and wife? Why is this play 鈥榦f its time?鈥 Is the play 鈥榮exist鈥? What was the role of man and woman in the time of Shakespeare? How has this changed?
Children could follow up the discussion by researching the traditional roles of men and women in Shakespeare鈥檚 time compared with modern times. They could go on to look at the emancipation of women throughout history including the suffragette movement.
Children could create a 鈥榝or sale鈥 poster advertising Kat the dog for sale at the start of the story. Look at examples of advertisements and persuasive writing to see what tricks are used by advertisers to influence prospective purchasers. Look at estate agents鈥 particulars and learn to 鈥榬ead between the lines鈥. Can children create posters for the sale of Kat which, on the face of it, suggest that she is a good buy, but with clear implications of her stubborn and naughty behaviour?
Children could discuss an alternative ending for either the retelling or the original Shakespeare story. Perhaps Kat Dog is impossible to train but Peter grows to love her anyway. Perhaps Katherine resists Petruchio鈥檚 attempts to tame her and gets her revenge on him by playing similar tricks on him. With appropriate scaffolding, children could write their alternative endings to either story based on these discussions.
See Teachers' notes below for more ideas
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