Relationships have diverged considerably in recent decades. Equal rights has become the slogan for the betterment of people around the world, however, this has not always been the case. Since the beginning of time people have thought they were better than others. During the Industrial Revolution, Europeans believed they were better than others. Theories such as Social Darwinism have been stated to justify actions associated with one group or race by believing in superiority over another. Over time relationships have been affected because one person is “better” than another. The relationships in The Taming of the Shrew are accurate representations of the relationships in the time period and how power was divided in those relationships. One relationship that has been exploited since early times is the relationship between master and servant. The relationship is tense because the Servants have to listen to their master. Typically serfs are poor, a “less developed race” (according to Social Darwinism), and/or part of the lower/peasant class. Masters can abuse power because servants must obey. Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew abuses the power of his servants to teach Katherine a lesson. He makes them prepare a large meal and then throws it in anger. Petruchio also acts like a tyrant towards his servant and the tailor when he prepares a dress for Katherine. He shouts at the tailor for not liking the style, and at his servant for ordering such a suit, even though he actually has no complaints with the suit. He abuses his power with his servants for this very reason. Even if power is abused, it is still necessary in this particular relationship. If a master had no power, a servant would not really be a servant. However, not all master/servant relationships are like this. Vincentio raised Tranio and was like a master to him, but Tranio betrayed Vincentio for his master Lucentio. On the one hand, Tranio acted as a loyal servant in an attempt to help Lucentio marry Bianca, but he also betrayed Vincentio by claiming he had never met him and even sent him to prison! Vincentio's power is undermined by his servant Tranio. The Taming of the Shrew provides insight into power and how it is used in master/servant relationships. Another unequal relationship would be that between father and son. Children must listen to their parents without complaining. Parents can easily abuse their power by not listening to the child's needs or desires.