Dia+Johnson

__COUPLES RETREAT __

** Undeniable Control **
1. Which of the seven focus areas for this assignment are you "zooming in" on?

Male/female expectations in relationships.

2. In at least two sentences, give the context of both the play and the movie here-introduce the specific plot points of each that you will be focusing on. Make sure you name the movie!

In "Taming of the Shrew", Petruchio immediately gives himself the power to mold Katherine into an individual in which he chooses. She does not agree with his decision and rebels through out the relationship. In the movie "Couples Retreat", Cynthia and Jason Smith have an argument that is sparked by Cynthia's surprising disagreement to the workings of the relationship. She does not agree with the power Jason decided to give him self in the relationship.

3. What statement can you make of "Taming of the Shrew" that relates to your focus are from # 1 ?

Petruchio believes that he automatically has the power to change Katherine's personality, even if she does not agree. With such plans, Katherine fights his acts of control.

4. What statement can you make about your MOVIE THAT RELATES TO THE FOCUS area?

Jason sets out to plan everything in the relationship to keep it organized. He is controlling her freedom subconsciously and she is aware of this act of control by fighting.

5. In a few sentences, describe these two statements compare/contrast. What do they have in common and what is obviously different?

Both statements clearly state the the males in the relationship expect to have automatic control and unintentionally take charge without the female parties agreement. Even with such common plans of the male characters, the acts of power are clearly different because Petruchio uses a physical method of control and Jason uses more of a mental act of control.

**"**  Act 3. sc.2-

 Katherine:


 * "No shame but mine. I must, forsooth, be forced**
 * To give my hand, opposed against my heart,**
 * Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen,**
 * Who wooed in haste and means to wed a leisure.**
 * I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,**
 * Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior " **

In this scene of the book Katherine is explaining the situation in which she is being forced to wed a man in which she does not want to. Petruchio wants to be with Katherine no matter her willingness. This control is the result of Petruchio's expectations for Katherine to agree with his choices as he sees fit. In the movie "Couples Retreat", Jason also expects Cynthia to follow the guidelines which he plans out without her consent.

"Jason:Put these on. Cynthia? Jason, l have had it!

Cynthia:l can't do everything exactly the way you want!

Cynthia:l can't control the ocean and row the boat and stop the waves!

Jason:Calm down!

Cynthia:And l can't do anything about the fact that l can't get pregnant!

Jason:This is nuts.

Cynthia:No, it's me.

Cynthia:And l just really need some time right now.

Cynthia:Please stop following me, 'cause l need to be away from you.

Jason:Come on. What are you doing? Hey, hey, where you going? That's a jungle!"  In this scene of the movie Cynthia finally tells Jason that she does not agree with the methods in which he uses to control the relationship. She uses a lot of exaggeration when she explains his sense of control but that shows that his expectations for her are out of her bounds which she is tired of trying to reach for. Jason responds to this outburst with a sense of surprise because he is unintentionally controlling the relationship. He honestly only wants the best for Cynthia in the relationship. Both Jason and Petruchio are controlling their other partners but they differ in the fact that Petruchio is aware of his control while on the other hand Jason is not.

**Act 2. sc.1-** In this scene of the book, Petruchio explains that he is meant for her. He controls the relationship for the better health of Katherine even though he knows she does not agree with the method. He does what he believes is necessary for their relationship to be successful.
 * Petruchio:**
 * "And, will you, nill you, I will marry you.**
 * Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn,**
 * For by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,**
 * Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well,**
 * Thou must be married to no man but me.**
 * For I am he am born to tame you, Kate,**
 * And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate**
 * Conformable as other household Kate's"**



In this scene of the movie Jason finds Cynthia and explains to her that his control was not meant to scare her away. He only wants the best for her and to make her happy. His motivation of control is to make sure she is interested in the relationship she is in with him but also have fun while doing it. He apologized for being so forceful with his methods of keeping her pleased. Tying in with the book, they contrast with the fact that, Jason is the one to come to Cynthia and apologize for his actions and in the book it is Katherine that apologizes to Petruchio for being so stubborn.

** Conclusion ** Concluding the analysis of both the movie and the play, there are obviously expectations set up for the individuals in the relationship. These expectations are made willing but also unwilling as they are suppose to come naturally as they work together as a couple. Using force to aid the other person to meet the expectations could end in them surrendering to your will, like in the story of "Taming of the Shrew", or it could result in the downfall within the relationship as that amount of pressure slowly pushes the significant other away, like in the movie "Couples Retreat." ** Society is built upon created expectations and control which could result in positivity or negativity but either way that sense of control is there no matter the circumstance. Its presence is inevitable as there is always someone who expects high of others. **