Yes, women's roles were extremely different in Shakespeare's time, and their position was more aligned with property. Frequently, marriages were arranged to give political connections, and Cynthia notes, forbidden when families were warring, as with Romeo and Juliet. Let Kate's position in Taming of Shrew. Her younger sister can't marry until Kate's married, and yet, Kate fights this - literally and figuratively. Explain why?
Both plays this week present two different sides -- Romeo and Juliet illustrates tragic side of arranged marriages, while Taming of Shrew takes a very different approach.
What might these two plays recommend about Shakespeare's interpretation of role of marriage and women's roles as result? Might there be hidden message, and if so, what might it be?