Baptista's Lack of Authority: A Character Analysis of a Faltering Father Anonymous College

The wealthy Baptista Minola of Padua, Italy is one of the most prideful characters in William Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of Shrew. Baptista’s pride stems from his large estate and untaken daughters who will inherit his capital, assets of which he misuses in attempt to become a more influential and powerful character. Baptista attempts to gain power by using his position of fatherhood and wealthy landownership by telling Bianca’s two suitors “not to bestow [his] youngest daughter before [he had] a husband for the elder” (1.1.50-54) to obtain control over others and their actions. By dictating the actions of others, Baptista is encouraged to believe that he is a multifaceted figure of authority. Conversely, many characters deceive Baptista out of his authority by admittedly “Bend[ing] thoughts and wits to achieve [Baptista’s daughters]” (1.1.181), thus belittling his actual power and influence. Therefore, while Baptista Minola may assert himself to be the most powerful figure in his society, he is unveiled to be less powerful than he deems himself to be.

Lucentio’s success in deceiving Baptista demonstrates Baptista to be less powerful than he believes. Upon overhearing Baptista’s rules regarding his daughters, Lucentio and...