Almost everyone on Earth wants to marry someone else who shares similarities with him or herself. However, the question arises for what purpose. Is it for money, lust or is it for money? Most of the time in this day and age, love is the main purpose of marriage. Usually, two people who love each other very much decide that they want to spend every single day of the rest of their lives together. However, love is not always the main purpose of marriage. In some cases, one person chooses to marry the other simply for the financial benefits. This simply means that one of the people marries the other just for money. In William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew the theme of marriage as an economic institution is prevalent. Tranio, Petruccio and Hortensio express the theme of marriage as an economic institution. Petruchio is one of the characters who expresses this theme. At the beginning of the play, when everyone is trying to find someone to marry Katherine to get Bianca's hand in marriage, he bluntly states, “Here comes your father. Never deny / I must and will have Katherine for my wife,” (The Taming of the Shrew, Act II, Scene 1, Lines 294 – 295). Petrucio clearly believes he will have it. Even though he is already rich, he still wants to receive what his father offers her as a dowry. Secondly, at the end, when he has finally tamed Katherine, he makes a bet with the other three men who got married. He says she's the only one who will actually listen to him. “No, I will win my bet still better, and show more signs of his obedience, Hernandez 1His new virtue and obedience,” (The Taming of the Shrew, Act V, Scene 2, Lines 117......middle of sheet. .....n for himself, since he says that whoever has more things will have his hand in marriage He tries to do what he seems nice, but it is clear what his intentions are.Hernandez 3In conclusion, the characters. Tranio, Petruccio and Hortensio, express the theme of marriage as an economic institution In any case, marriage will almost always have something to do with money The Taming of the Shrew is just one example in literature that deals with the theme of marriage as an economic institution. Many people believe that marriage is always based on love, but this wonderful piece of literature proves otherwise. The points made in This essay shows how The Taming of the Shrew expresses the theme of marriage as an economic institution.