Glossing Assignment
Shakespeare uses the word "mold" in Act I, scene I when Baptistia, Hortensio, Gremio, and Kate are discussing the fact that Bianca cannot be courted until Kate is married. Orgel substitutes the word "character." In doing so, I feel he possibly overlooked some of Shakespeare's possible intentions in his word choice. Here are the two fairly synonymous definitions for the terms, taken from the The sum of the moral and mental qualities which distinguish an individual or a race, viewed as a homogeneous whole; the individuality impressed by nature and habit on man or nation; mental or moral constitution.The distinctive nature of a person or thing, esp. as indicative of origin; constitution, By these definitions, a straight substitution seems fairly harmless. However, another definition of "mold," also from the Oxford English
one who is servile or unimportant; a servant, officer, subordinate, assistant; a henchman. " I feel that Shakespeare intended more than simply the surface meaning when he used the term. Originally: a (usually male) favourite of a sovereign, prince, or other powerful person; a person who is dependent on a patron's favour; a hanger-on. An object of imitation; a model or example. Kate (at least at this point in the play) is definitely not shaping herself after society's pattern for young women. Because of this, there could be yet another implied meaning of the word: a slave or captive. The reason for this is that, at the time Shakespeare wrote The Taming of the Shrew, "minion" in that context was mostly used as a term describing a nobleman's close servant, usually with (sometimes not very subtle) homosexual undertones. From the Oxford English Dictionary:Minion:1. I find it quite interesting that Shakespeare could have very well intended Kate's statement to have two, three, or possibly even four different levels. derogatory): a man or woman kept for sexual favours; a mistress or paramourMinxA lewd or wanton woman; (also) a prostitute; a mistress. Then there is the definition concerning slavery. Bianca, however, seems to epitomize the concept of the "perfect" young lady, according to the same model.
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