Inductions and Act I:

Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew begins with two “Inductions”–think of these as separate mini-plays that set up and frame the action of the story. In the inductions, we are introduced to Christopher Sly, a drunk “beggar” who passes out in a tavern and is then found by a “Lord” and his attendants. Keep your eye out for Sly’s appearances throughout the play!

1. In the opening lines of the play, what does the Hostess threaten to do to Christopher Sly?

2. Russ McDonald discusses several features and characteristics of the early modern theater in the reading from the Bedford Companion. Try to identify 2-3 examples from the text that you think might provide illustration for the history he is discussing.

3. What “practise” (Induction 1, line 32) does the Lord devise when he sees Sly? What, specifically, does his plan involve (note especially lines 34-37, 46-58, and 101-119).

4. How do the Players introduced at line 75 assist in the Lord’s plan? Note what the Messanger says in Induction 2, lines 126-131.

5. Why has Lucentio come to Padua? Why does he tell us his father’s profession?

6. Baptista has two daughters, Katherina (the eldest) and Bianca (the youngest). What “problem” does Baptista immediately establish for this comedy? (See also Tranio’s succinct summary at 1.1.174-78). What is the loophole?

7. What plan does Lucentio devise to gain access to Bianca? What part does his servant, Tranio, have in this plan? Note the remarkable stage direction at 1.1.205!

8. In 1.2, note the first action Petruccio takes when he enters the play. What brings Petruccio to Padua? Why does he promise to be the solution to the problem created by Baptista (see question 6, above)?

9. The aged suitor, Hortensio, has his own plan for gaining access to Bianca. What is it?

Acts II and III:

1. Note what Katherine has done to Bianca in the opening of Act Two, and the action described at 2.1.22! What reason for this behavior does Katherina offer?

2. Petruccio and Baptista engage in a negotiation for the marriage of Katherina. What are the details of their agreement? What “special thing” (2.1.132) must Petruccio obtain in order to close the “deal”?

3. Note how Petruccio addresses Katherina when they first meet. What are the various meanings he associates with her name?

4. Before the agreed upon wedding day, Petruccio says he must go to Venice. Why?

5. Later in Act Two, Baptista negotiates with Gremio and Tranio (Lucentio’s servant, disguised as Lucentio) for Bianca’s hand in marriage. Who “wins” the bidding for Bianca? What are the conditions of their agreement? (see lines 385-90)

6. Hortensio and Lucentio (disguised as teachers) are attempting to woo Bianca in 3.1. Do they succeed?

7. Something delays the wedding between Katherina and Petruccio–what is it? How are Petruccio and Grumio dressed when they arrive for the wedding? How does Petruccio explain his choice of dress (see lines 109-113)?

8. We don’t actually see the wedding of Petruccio and Katherina, but we do hear a report of it. Gremio says “Such a a sad marriage never was before” (3.3.55)–why?

9. Finally, note Petruccio’s remarkable speech before he exits with Katherine in 3.3! We will consider in class how this speech is consistent with other moments in the reading for today.

Acts IV and V:

1. In 4.1, Petruccio’s servant comments that “he (Petruccio) is more shrew than she (Katherine)” (69). What is the reason, as you understand it, for Petruccio’s behavior in this scene?

2. Petruccio’s long speech at the end of 4.1 compares Katherine to a “falcon” (170). What is the significance of this metaphor, do you think? Whom is he addressing when he says: “He that knows better how to tame a shrew, / Now let him speak” (190-91)?

3. Why does Hortensio give up his suit of Bianca? What does he say he’ll do instead?! (And note the role that Tranio plays in the transaction).

4. How does Tranio “use” the “Pedant” (teacher) who appears in 4.2?

5. What does Petruccio deny Katherine in the course of 4.3 and 4.6?

6. Petruccio and Katherine meet someone on their way to Baptista’s house in 4.6. Who is it, and why does his arrival in Padua pose a threat to Lucentio and Tranio’s plan?

7. Petruccio makes a bet with his fellow newlyweds in 5.2–what is it? Who wins?

8. Katherine’s long speech at the end of the play is imfamous: Do you think she has actually capitulated to Petruccio? Is there any evidence that would allow us to read this as an ironic speech?

9. The Norton Shakespeare prints additional scenes from Taming of *a* Shrew, a play that may have also been written by Shakespeare and carries on with the Sly plot throughout. The final scene is printed on p. 228 of the Norton.  How do you think it changes the end of this play if these lines are included? Would it give you a different understanding of Katherine’s final speech?