The Taming of the Shrew and The Tragedy of Mariam, both embody the misogynistic claustrophobic nature of Renaissance society, elucidating the psychological suffocation of their female protagonists. This essay will focus on how the claustrophobia depicted in both plays parallels that suffered by 16th century women. The predominant notions explored will be: the stifling expectations of society, the role and contribution of men in this stifling, the use of confined spaces and finally the restrictions placed on women's voices. A range of critics will be engaged, in order to capture different views and opinions, qualifying a realistic and expert understanding of the texts, applying both texts, in their original society as well as modern society. Society's stifling expectations are perhaps the central basis for formed claustrophobia. Likewise, Katherine and Mariam's actions are seen as a woman's transgression of the "moral codes" and social conventions within Renaissance society, and both are condemned for it. Mariam ultimately experiences a more tragic fate even if, one could say that Mariam, even if it is through death, is at least liberated, Katherine, on the other hand, must continue to live in suffocation. Katherine's "too harsh" character is displaced within society and isolated in the domestic space. (Shakespeare, 1982: 109) She disappoints by conforming to the mold of a good and obedient young girl, and is therefore rejected by her society. Her "clever" behavior makes her incompetent to marry or to be accepted as a woman, because she is not of a "kinder, gentler mold." (Shakespeare, 1982: 109) Crocker points out that a shrew “is... in the middle of a paper... Library in association with George Washington University. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2870547.Crocker, A, C. (2003) “Affective Resistance: Performing Passivity and Role Play in The Taming of the Shrew”, published by: Folger Shakespeare Library in association with George Washington University. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/384417 Heller, L, J. (2005) “Space, violence and the body in Middleton and Cary”, Rice University. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3844552.Miller, N, J. (1997) "The Domestic Politics of Elizabeth Cary's The Tragedy of Mariam", Rice University. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/450838.Korda,N. (1996) “Household Kates: Domesticating Commodities in The Taming of the Shrew,” Folger Shakespeare Library in association with George Washington University. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2871098.