In the 1400's and 1500's, most stories and fables consisted of men and husbands ruling and controlling the family, wife, and their women by force; the only means by which men set the standard. William Shakespeare, living during this time period, wrote fiction, as well as read it. The idea of using brute force to control women passed down to Shakespeare. He wrote The Taming of the Shrew and showed, in this literature, that men did control their wives and women by the means of force and vigor.

Here in act II, scene I, Shakespeare resorts to physical violence in order for Petruchio to "tame" Katherina, a rich daughter of Baptista. Earlier in their banter, tension rises and Katherina strikes Petruchio. In a demanding voice, he responds, "I swear I'll cuff you if you strike again." (2, 1, 217) He is threatening her with violence if she dare...