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The Taming of the Shrew
Play
The Taming of the Shrew begins in Padua (Italy)
with Lucentio and servant Tranio happening upon Bianca,
Lucentio instantly falling in love. Bianca, no stranger
to admiring glances from men is the youngest daughter
of father Baptista, his other elder daughter being Katherine.
Gremio and Hortensio also desire Bianca, so Baptista
decrees that neither may pursue her until the shrew
Katherine has a husband, a seemingly impossible task.
Liking a challenge, Hortensio and Gremio decide to find
Katherine a husband. Lucentio has his servant impersonate
him, Lucentio disguising himself as teacher Cambio to
to get close to Bianca.
The somewhat unkept Petruchio of Verona and servant
Grumio arrive and hearing of Katherine, decides to chase
and marry her to obtain her family's wealth. Petruchio
is encouraged by Lucentio, Gremio and Hortensio who
agree to pay all costs of Petruchio's quest. The two
meet, but is not a case of love at first sight, more
fight at first sight!
Meanwhile, Hortensio decides disguise himself as school
master Litio, instructing Bianca in music. Likewise,
Petruchio has been busy wooing Katherine, even being
slapped for his troubles. Petruchio, obstinately just
becomes more determined to marry Katherine and ever
bold, declares he will wed her on Sunday, earning Katherine's
reply she would rather see him hanged first!
Amazingly, Petruchio successfully woos Katherine but
to decide between Lucentio, Hortensio and Gremio, Baptista
declares she will go to the wealthiest suitor. Eventually
Baptista accepts Lucentio for Bianca but wants Lucentio's
father to confirm Lucentio's wealth.
Petruchio arrives for his wedding, disappointing Katherine
at every turn from arriving in a sorry excuse of a horse
to wearing common clothes to kissing Katherine rudely
then skipping the wedding banquet with dishevelled servant
Grumio in tow for Petruchio's country home. Baptista,
clearly lost for words is simply happy to see her gone.
The ride is not pleasant, Katherine falling in mud only
to have to defend Grumio from Petruchio.
It doesn't get any better at for Katherine. Petruchio,
finds fault in everything, even a cap Katherine dearly
loves. At every turn Petruchio must have the final word,
giving poor Katherine a taste of her own medicine! Defeated,
Hortensio decides to marry a widow. Petruchio continues
to break Katherine's will, denying her food, clothing
even company until she agrees with his word no matter
how ridiculous. Katherine, sick of this, starts to agree
to anything Petruchio says, just to have peace!
Back in Padua, a man is found to impersonate Lucentio's
father Vincento who meets Baptista. Meanwhile, Lucentio
is to marry Bianca. On the road, Petruchio and Katherine
meet the real Vincentio, Petruchio even succeeding
in having Katherine tell Vincentio he is a woman, then
apologize and recognise her error.
Vincentio learns of Lucentio's marriage all travelling
to Padua. Now in Padua Vincentio wishes to see his son
to be denied this by both Pedant impersonating Vincento
and Tranio impersonating Lucentio. They even try to
have the real Vincentio arrested. Lucentio and Bianca
declare their marriage, infuriating Baptista and the
real Vincento alike. Eventually all decide to accept
and celebrate the three marriages of Petruchio to Kate,
Lucentio to Bianca, and Hortensio to the widow. Now
eating dinner, Petruchio wins a bet against the
Lucentio and Hortensio that he has the most obedient
wife, telling her afterwards, "Kiss me Kate."
Contents
Dramatis
Personæ
Induction
Scene I, Scene
II
Act I
Scene I, Scene
II
Act II
Scene I
Act III
Scene I, Scene
II
Act IV
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V
Act V
Scene I, Scene
II
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