Why is there an Induction in "The Taming of the Shrew"?

              The purpose of the induction in the Taming of the Shrew could be for many reasons. The use of this technique was a common feature during the Renaissance period, but a rare element in Shakespeare’s plays. Although none of the characters in the induction are present through out the main part of the play they do serve as an important role. The Induction serves to introduce key themes that will become present in the main play such as identity, disguise, illusion and reality.

            The induction consists of the Lord playing a practical joke on homeless, drunk named Christopher Sly by dressing him up and making him believe that he is the Lord. This funny, little story draws a parallel to Katherine’s story in the main play. Sly’s story reinforces the idea that a person’s environment and treatment can determine their behavior. Sly is told and treated like a Lord therefore he believes it is true. In the main play Katherine is told from her father and husband to be an abiding wife. Although Katherine struggles with the thought of being a dutiful wife she has no choice and is forced to conform. Katherine and Sly are treated like puppets and whatever their controller decides to make them do they are at there will.

            Another theme in the induction and play is the concept of “social mobility”. In Shakespeare’s time many people were worried that someone from the lower class would simply move up in class by dressing in nicer clothes and acting as though they were of a higher class. The Lord in the induction does exactly that and dresses up the lower class drunk in nicer clothes and then is presumed to be a Lord. It brings up the issue of individual identities and whether people can disguise themselves as others and believe that their new identity is true. This concept might be a clue from Shakespeare that someone or something is pretending to be something other than what they seem in the main play.

            The interesting and humorous induction ends with the beginning of the play. We never find out what becomes of Christopher Sly and his beautiful wife, but the induction serves as a valuable lead in to the main portion of the play.