The Daily Think

Kick-Ass is a comic book character created by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. and first published in 2008. The character is known for his brutal violence, dark humor, and his lack of any superpowers. Despite his initial appearance as a far cry from traditional comic book characters, Kick-Ass shares several similarities with the main character of William Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew.”

Firstly, both Kick-Ass and Petruchio from “The Taming of the Shrew” are searching for their place in the world and struggling to understand their own identity. Kick-Ass begins the series as a high school student, unsure of his place in the world and seeking a sense of purpose. Similarly, Petruchio is a man in search of a wife and a place in society. Both characters are searching for a sense of self, and their journeys to find it drive the narrative of their respective stories.

Another similarity between Kick-Ass and Petruchio is their use of humor. Both characters use humor to lighten the mood and to make themselves more relatable to the audience. Kick-Ass is known for his dark humor and witty one-liners, while Petruchio uses his wit and humor to win over the hearts of those around him. This use of humor serves to make these characters more likable, and to add levity to their otherwise dark and dangerous journeys.

Both Kick-Ass and Petruchio also struggle with power dynamics. In “The Taming of the Shrew,” Petruchio must learn to control his wife and assert his power over her, while in Kick-Ass, the character must navigate the dangerous world of crime-fighting and confront those who would abuse their power. These struggles with power serve to highlight the dangers of unchecked power, and to warn against the abuse of power by those in positions of authority.

Finally, both Kick-Ass and Petruchio are transformative characters. Through their journeys, they change and grow, becoming more confident and self-assured. This transformation serves to demonstrate the power of perseverance and determination, and to show that even the most unlikely of characters can grow and change.

Despite their initial differences, Kick-Ass and Petruchio from “The Taming of the Shrew” share several important similarities. From their struggles with identity and power dynamics, to their use of humor and transformative journeys, these characters serve to both entertain and educate their audiences. Whether it be through the brutal violence of Kick-Ass or the wit and wisdom of Shakespeare’s plays, these characters continue to captivate and engage audiences to this day.