Significance of Language in Shakespeares The Taming of...

It is known that in Shakespeare’s works, the language is very significant. That being said, in The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare uses the word sirrah at few different times throughout the play. In early modern English, the word sirrah was defined as â€Å"a term of address used to men or boys, expressing contempt, reprimand, or assumption of authority on the part of the speaker; sometimes employed less seriously in addressing children† (OED). Today, however, the word sirrah is now archaic in Modern English language use. In the play, The Taming of the Shrew, the way the word sirrah is used shows that it is a performative expression; sirrah is more than just a statement, it actually performs an action and convey identity. A clear example of†¦show more content†¦Horthensio is trying to show or construct an identity that he is the better man, because both men are having the discussion in front of Bianca who both men are in love with. That being said, this is another example illustrating that the speech act, especially sirrah, in The taming of the Shrew has a performative function. The characters using this word are attempting to make themselves seen as superior toward the other person who they are speaking with ( write the actual effect the speaker actually has on the interlocutor by uttering the word) Therefore, in this play, the use of specific language, especially with the term sirrah, as long that character has a disguise, and use the appropriate language, then this character in particular can have authority toward lower status quo. (conclusion) In sum, in the Taming of the Shrew, each word that Shakespeare uses are choosen for a reason. That being said, the way sirrah is used throughout the play is †¦ In addition, if compared with gender performativity in which homosexuality and heterosexuality are not fixed categories, then the word sirrah makes in sort that different social classes are also not fixed categories. It the way it is contructed and perform to take into an identity. The word sirrah is an illusion, , the word sirrah makes thigs happen, making-believe that it is happening, the performance of language, aShow MoreRelatedTheme Of Taming Of The Shrew1116 Words   |  5 PagesThe Taming of the Shrew: Moment Analysis Particular moments in William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew have a special significance in regard to the overall meaning of the play. One such moment is when Petruchio and Katherine talk about â€Å"how bright and goodly shines the moon,† (Shakespeare 13). At this moment, the insistent Petruchio pressures Katherine to refer to the sun as the moon. 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