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4. What trick does the lord intend to play on Sly? Why might he want to do this?
The lord intends to surround Sly with expensive possessions and servants who refer to him as their
lord. He wants to make Sly believe he is a wealthy, important lord, a member of the upper class.
The lord intends to entertain himself at Slys expense.
5. What role does the lord have in mind for his page, Bartholmew?
The lord wants Bartholmew to pretend he is the lords submissive wife overjoyed by her husbands
recovery. He sets up rules for how the farce will be played, reminding everyone that the
deception should be husbanded with modesty.
6. How does this scene introduce the idea of two separate productions?
The lord devises a production to trick Sly into thinking he is someone else, and as a part of that,
the lords players stage a play for Sly to watch.
7. What does the first scene suggest about the tone of the play?
The first scene suggests the play will be fun and light. The lord seems fun-loving and mischievous, and
the audience is excited to see whether Sly will fall for the trick or not. The audience is encouraged to
laugh at the ridiculous Sly. They might also be curious as to whether or not he will learn anything
from this trick.
8. What question does the lord set out to answer? What question might Shakespeare be asking?
The lord is curious about whether or not a man can be convinced he is someone other than
himself. Shakespeare might be asking his audience to consider how people determine their
identities and if they can be transformed through experience.
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I subscribe: . . . The other characters criticize Kate, and Gremio even compares her to hell. Though
by modern standards Kates repartee seems witty and her willfulness admirable, Shakespeares
audience was more likely to view her outspokenness as a character flaw.
5. Lucentio observes of Bianca, But in the others silence do I see / Maids mild behaviour and
sobriety. What does this suggest about the view of a womans ideal role in Shakespeares era?
In addition to her physical attractions, Bianca is appealing to Lucentio because she is silent. In Shakespeares era, a womans mild manner helped make her desirable.
6. Why does Gremio feel Baptista is treating Bianca unfairly?
Baptista will not allow Bianca to marry until Kate is married. Since Kate is outspoken and unlikely
to attract a husband, Gremio feels that Baptistas plan is grossly unfair to Bianca, who must suffer
for her sisters sins.
7. Hortensio believes that it is possible to find a husband for Kate, despite her outspoken nature.
What type of man does he think would accept Kate?
Hortensio thinks that men who are attracted to Kates fortune could be compelled to marry her.
8. What comes over Lucentio as he watches Bianca?
Lucentio falls into a trance as he watches Bianca; he is in love at first sight.
9. Lucentio and Tranio come up with an elaborate scheme that will enable Lucentio to woo Bianca.
What is that scheme? How is it further embellished with the arrival of Biondello?
Lucentio will pretend to be a schoolmaster and present himself as an instructor to Bianca. Tranio will
step into Lucentios place and study philosophy; he will present himself as Lucentio to Biancas father.
They switch their clothes to signal their new identities. When Biondello arrives, Lucentio claims that
he has killed someone and can be identified by a witness; Tranio is pretending to be him so that
Lucentio can escape. Biondello does not believe this story, but he goes along with it anyway.
10. Using supporting evidence from the text, characterize Lucentios relationship with his servants,
Tranio and Biondello.
Lucentio has an easy, friendly relationship with his servants. Tranio does not hesitate to advise his
employer, such as when he counsels him not to take his studies too seriously or determines to break
Lucentio out of his love struck trance. He is also clearly fond of Lucentio, agreeing to impersonate him
because I am content to be Lucentio, / Because so well I love Lucentio. The fact that Tranio could so
easily step into Lucentios shoes suggests that the class difference between them is not unbridgeable.
Though Biondello appears only briefly, he is straightforward with Lucentio. When Lucentio asks if he
be- lieves his story, Biondello says, I, sir? Neer a whit, but he agrees to go along with the ruse
regardless.
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11. Throughout the scene, Lucentio makes a plethora of classical allusions, among them references to
Minerva, the Queen of Carthage, and Agenor. For what purpose might Shakespeare have included
these allusions in Lucentios dialogue?
During the Renaissance, knowledge of classical Greek and Roman history and literature was generally
confined to those of the upper classes in the social hierarchy. Lucentios use of classical allusions
shows that he is well educated, suggesting that he is a member of an upper class in society.
12. What is achieved by Slys reappearance at the end of the scene? What themes do Slys story and
the story that is beginning in Padua have in common?
Sly reappears to remind members of the audience they are watching a play-within-a-play; the reappearance of his foolish character and the fact that he would be quite happy for the show he is
watch- ing to end both emphasize the elements of comic farce. Both stories develop themes of
disguise and dishonesty; also, in both stories various characters assume different identities.
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1. Describe the exchange between Kate and Bianca. What is Biancas predicament, and how does Kate
respond? How does Kate appear to the audience?
Biancas hands are tied, and Kate will not untie her. She is bound because of Kate, both literally and
metaphorically, because she is not free to marry until Kate has a husband. Kate wants Bianca to tell
her which suitor she prefers, and Bianca says shed gladly let Kate have the man of her choosing.
Kate becomes angry and strikes Bianca, which seems unfair and mean. She appears to fit well the
role of the untamed shrew.
2. Characterize Kates relationship with her father. How do they feel about each other, and why? Kates
father is not subtle about his preference for Bianca, the younger of the two sisters. He is critical of
Kate and protective of Bianca: For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit, / Why dost thou wrong
her that did neer wrong thee? He also does not stand up for Kate when others demean her, and
Kate perceives that he holds her up for others to ridicule. Kate displays a fiery anger toward her
father, but the extent that she is hurt by his favoritism is clear, too. Her fury may well be fueled by
her hurt. She tells him, Nay, now I see / [Bianca] is your treasure, she must have a husband / . . . .
Talk not to me. I will go sit and weep / Till I can find occasion of revenge.
3. In this scene, the institution of marriage is characterized mainly as a financial transaction. Describe
how this idea is enforced in the dialogue between Bianca and Kate, as well as in the dialogue between
Petruchio and Baptista and among Baptista, Gremio, and Tranio.
Bianca and Kate discuss Biancas suitors and Gremios wealth. Kate assumes Bianca is enticed by Gremios money: You will have Gremio to keep you fair. He is also older, so presumably his money
would soon be Biancas without his company. Petruchio and Baptista discuss Kates dowry before
Petruchio has ever set eyes on her; finding the terms of her dowry acceptable, Petruchio moves
forward with his plan to woo her. Baptista is quite open about how he is playing the part of
merchant in the match. Baptista also discusses money with Gremio and Tranio, explaining that the
one who can assure my daughter greatest dower / Shall have my Biancas love. He speaks as
though he is entertaining offers for a sale of goods.
4. While marriage is considered a financial transaction, how does Baptista suggest he also cares for
Kates well-being?
Baptista reminds Petruchio that love is key in winning Kate over. This suggests that Baptista feels
Kate has some choice in the matter of her husband and that he understands what she might need
to make her happy.
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5. When Baptista asks Petruchio how he plans to get along with Kate, Petruchio says, where two raging fires meet together / They do consume the thing that feeds their fury. What does he mean?
Petruchio is strong-willed, and as Kate is, too, he feels that they are equally matched. Neither will
drown the other out, but rather their meeting of passion will temper them both.
6. What is Petruchios response to Kates abuse of Hortensio (disguised as a music teacher)? Why is
it unusual? What might be motivating Petruchio to respond this way?
Rather than appear intimidated by Kates harsh behavior towards Hortensio, Petruchio is enticed by
it: I love her ten times more than eer I did. He may be attracted to the challenge Kate represents;
taming her will be difficult and thus satisfying. He may genuinely be impressed by a woman who is
feisty, finding that feistiness attractive.
7. As revealed in his soliloquy, how does Petruchio plan to win Kate over?
Petruchio plans to win Kate over through flattery, no matter how horribly she treats him: Say
that she rail, why then Ill tell her plain / She sings as sweetly as a nightingale.
8. Describe the first meeting between Petruchio and Kate. In what ways is the dialogue different from
the other dialogue in the play?
The dialogue between Petruchio and Kate follows a very quick pace. For most of their exchange,
each speaks just one witty line before the other responds. Though other scenes also incorporate
wordplay, nowhere is it more evidenced than in the exchange between Petruchio and Kate, who
seem to deftly pile pun upon pun. Clearly, each is a gifted and quick-witted linguist. In addition, the
dialogue offers
a great deal of alliteration with the letters c and k; the sounds add a cacophony or roughness that
enforces the verbal sparring. Kate is the central word and sound that does this, which makes the
sound extra fitting for their battle of words.
9. Who gains the upper hand in Petruchio and Kates banter? Why?
Petruchio gains the upper hand. Kate has not exchanged insults with someone as quick-witted as
Petruchio, and she seems frustrated by the challenge he presents. Petruchio, though he aims to flatter
and indulge her through most of their dialogue, also deals with her firmly. When Kate strikes him,
he says, I swear Ill cuff you, if you strike again. He also makes clear what is going to happen, with
or without her consent: Setting all this chat aside, / Thus in plain terms: your father hath
consented / That you shall be my wife; your dowry greed on, / And, will you, nill you, I will marry
you.
10. How does Petruchio explain Kates hostile manner toward him to the other men? Why does he do
this?
Petruchio tells the other men that Kate is affectionate and loving in private, but they have agreed that
in public she need not be: Tis bargained twixt us twain, being alone, / That she shall still be curst
in company. He does this so that he might maintain his credibility with the men, for he had spoken
so confidently of his ability to win Kate over.
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11. Why does Kate acquiesce to the marriage? What other motivations might account for her silence?
Kate is quiet after Petruchio tells his lie to the others. No matter what Kate says, the others are likely
to believe Petruchios claim that shes agreed in private to marry him, even though she is still argumentative publicly. It is possible she feels defeated and does not want to fight anymore. Finally, it is
also possible that she really is attracted to Petruchio and does want to marry him.
12. With Kates marriage settled, Baptista turns his attention to Bianca. Which man wins the right to
court Bianca, and why?
Tranio (as Lucentio) wins the right to court Bianca because he has more inheritance to offer her
should he die.
13. What is the one obstacle to Tranios (as Lucentio) proposal to Bianca? What does it imply?
Since Lucentios father is still living, Tranio must show Baptista that Lucentios father approves of the
match and that Bianca would inherit the fortune even if Lucentio should die before his father. This
complication suggests that the play will involve even more lies and deceit.
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ever, Bianca asserts herself and expresses her own opinions. As the two tutors try to override each
other in proclaiming what Bianca should study, she reminds them that the decision is hers, not theirs:
Why, gentlemen, you do me double wrong / To strive for that which resteth in my choice. She
clearly sees through the mens disguises, and she is direct in her response to Hortensios proclamation
of love: Tut, I like it not, Bianca says. In this scene, Bianca is independent, strong, and clever; she
assumes control, something she has not done previously.
4. Hortensio claims he will no longer seek to court Bianca if she would stoop to flirt with her tutor.
If once I find thee ranging, / Hortensio will be quit with thee by changing. Other than his snobbery,
what other reason might Hortensio have for rejecting Bianca?
Bianca has rejected Hortensios proclamation of love, albeit indirectly since it was given to her by a
disguised Hortensio. Hortensio may be trying to save his ego and his credibility by rejecting
Bianca before she can reject him in a more straightforward manner.
5. What is the overall mood of this scene?
The mood is light and amusing. The scene moves quickly, full of funny banter between Biancas
suitors and flirtation between Bianca and Lucentio.
6. Describe the role of disguise and pretense in this scene.
Disguise and pretense play a large role, as nothing actually is what it appears to be. Lucentio,
disguised as Cambio, communicates with Bianca through pretending to study Ovid. Hortensio is
disguised as Litio; he communicates with Bianca through a written accounting of the scales. Bianca,
too, engages in pretense, as she knows both mens true identities yet plays along with their assumed
identities.
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3. How does Petruchio respond in regard to his lateness and his clothing? What might his intent be?
Petruchio is evasive about his attire and his tardiness, changing the focus of the conversation to Kate
and proclaiming that he would like to kiss her. He brushes off any suggestion that his clothes convey
disrespect: To me shes married not unto my clothes. Petruchios rudeness may be contrived in order
to insult Kate, and thus bring her self-esteem down so that he might better control her.
4. What recounting does Gremio offer of the wedding ceremony? Why might Shakespeare have
decided to relay the events through Gremio rather than stage the scene for the audience?
Gremio explains to Tranio and Lucentio that Petruchio behaved horribly during the wedding ceremony, making Kate seem like a lamb in comparison. Petruchio cursed, causing the priest to drop the
Bible he was using in the ceremony. When the priest bent down to pick up the Bible, Petruchio struck
him. Finally, when the time came for Petruchio to kiss his bride, he was vulgar in how loudly he kissed
her, with such a clamorous smack / That at the parting all the church did echo. Explaining the
scene through a witness saves time and keeps the action moving, as the witness can summarize the
events.
It also makes Petruchios actions seem all the more terrible, for even Gremio, who has been so
critical of Katherine, feels she is tame compared to Petruchio.
5. Describe the first confrontation between Kate and Petruchio as husband and wife. Who prevails,
and how?
The first confrontation between Kate and Petruchio occurs when Petruchio announces he is leaving,
despite Kates protestations, and Kate says she will not go with him. She asserts her will, and she
fails. Petruchio insults Kate in front of everyone: I will be master of what is mine own: / She is my
goods, my chattels, she is my house, / My household stuff, my field, my barn, / My horse, my ox, my
ass, my anything. He then draws his sword and forcibly takes Kate with him when he leaves.
6. How do the rest of the characters respond once Kate and Petruchio have left?
The rest of the characters dont seem upset that Kate essentially has been kidnapped from their presence. They seem content to let her go, but they marvel at Petruchios brazenness. They had not previously realized how volatile and abusive he can be. Tranio says, Of all mad matches never was the
like, and Bianca reflects that Kate being mad herself, shes madly mated.
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3. What are the four causes of Petruchios anger with his servants?
He is angry that his servants didnt meet him outside and that a servant tweaks his foot while pulling
off his boots; he also is angry that a servant spills water on Kate and that the meat is not well
cooked.
4. What does Petruchios servant Peter mean when he says of his master and his new bride, He kills
her in her own humour?
Kate has a reputation for being shrill and unkind, and Petruchio is using these very characteristics
in order to quiet Kate. He is, in effect, out-shrewing the shrew.
5. Curtis says that because of Petruchios strange behavior, Kate knows not which way to stand, to
look, to speak, / And sits as one new-risen from a dream. How does this comment relate to the
Induction in the beginning of the play?
Kate finds herself in a situation in which she is confused and baffled by the new world unfolding
around her. Christopher Sly, in the Induction, feels the same way when he awakes from his sleep
to find the lord and a bevy of servants treating him as a noble.
6. How does Petruchio intend to kill a wife with kindness? What is his plan for taming Kate?
Is it working?
Petruchio is not outwardly brutal with Kate; instead he plans to tame her by starving her and depriving her of sleep. He denies her food on the pretext that the food is not suitable for her to eat.
He deprives her of sleep by thrashing about and complaining that the bed has not been made
properly enough for her. His plan does seem to be working, in that Kate has not seemed shrill or
harsh, but rather confused and kind to the servants.
7. In a famous metaphor, Petruchio compares taming Kate to training a falcon, a hunting hawk:
My falcon now is [hungry] and [extremely] empty, / And till she [fly to the lure] she must not be fullgorged, / For then she never looks upon her lure. How is Kate like the falcon? What does it suggest
about Petruchio that he compares her to one?
Like the falcon, Kate is being kept hungry and wont be fed until she has been trained to do what is expected of her; falcons are expected to hunt for their masters, and Kate is expected to obey Petruchio.
A falcon wont hunt unless it is hungry, implying that Kate wont learn to obey Petruchio unless he
with- holds her food. Through the metaphor, Petruchio attempts to employ logic to justify starving
her. In comparing Kate to a falcon, Petruchio indicates that he sees her as if she were an animal with
the sole purpose of obeying and serving him. The falcon, however, is a noble animal of prestige that
attracted
a great deal of attention in Shakespeares age and was respected for its power and fierce nature. Thus
Petruchios comparison honors Kate in a subtle way, implying that he recognizes those same
qualities in her.
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Finally, Petruchio contrives to have Hortensio eat all of the meat so that Kate cannot have any.
2. Kate says, But I, who never knew how to entreat, / Nor never needed that I should entreat, / Am
starved for meat. What does this suggest about Kates upbringing?
Kates comment reflects that she has never had to ask for anything in her life. She has not known
de- privation, which undoubtedly makes her predicament more challenging for her.
3. Toward what purpose is clothing used in this scene?
Like food, clothing is used as a means to tame Kate. Just as Petruchio presented food to Kate only to
prevent her from eating it, he presents a hat and dress only to keep it from her. When Kate compliments the clothing, her meaning is deliberately misconstrued. Though she says the hat Petruchio
pres- ents to her is nice and fashionable, he responds, Why, thou sayst true. It is a paltry cap. In
this way, Petruchio renders Kate silent.
4. How does Petruchio continue to kill Kate with kindness?
His words to Kate are sweet, as he calls her names like my honey love, yet he willfully ignores what
she says or tries to communicate, acting as if she agrees with him. His actions and his words are
com- pletely at odds; though Kate speaks, she is essentially voiceless.
5. Describe Kates spirit. Is she tamed, or is she the same as she was when the audience first meets
her?
Kate still exhibits some of the fire she showed before she married Petruchio. She tells him, Speak
I will. I am no child, no babe. / Your betters have endured me say my mind, / And if you cannot,
best you stop your ears. She still contradicts her husband, but she is weakened. She says, I pray
you let
it stand, so that Petruchio will not take away the meat he has brought; at his command she says, I
thank you sir, so that she might eat.
6. Why does Kate accuse Petruchio of making her a puppet? How does Petruchio respond to this
accusation?
Kate understands that Petruchio is trying to bend her to his will so that she will say only what he
wants her to say and will do only what he commands her to do. Clearly speaking to Petruchio, she
says, Belike you mean to make a puppet of me. Petruchio responds by pretending to misunderstand
her, suggesting that she is accusing the tailor of trying to make a puppet of her.
7. Describe the conversation about the time of day between Kate and Petruchio. What point is Petruchio making?
Petruchio claims it is seven oclock even though it is only two. When Kate tells him the correct time,
he responds, Look, what I speak, or do, or think to do, / You are still crossing it. Petruchio is
making the point to Kate that no matter how wrong he is, nor how solid the proof that he is wrong,
she must agree with him anyway.
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due to the fact that plans for Tranio (who is still pretending to be Lucentio) and Biancas wedding
are moving forward quickly, and Bianca may find herself married to Tranio if she hasnt married the
real Lucentio first.
4. Biondello refers to Bianca as an appendix in this chapter. What does he mean, and what
connotation does it have?
Biondello is casting Bianca as merely an appendage to Lucentio, which discredits her worth.
Another interpretation could be that he sees Bianca as an empty book that Lucentio will fill with
pages as he sees fit.
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1. What game with regard to the sun and the moon does Petruchio play with Kate? What is his purpose?
Although it is daytime, Petruchio admires the moon while clearly referring to the sun. When Kate corrects him, he orders the servants to direct the horses homeward; he will not progress on their journey
unless Kate agrees with him. Once she does as he wishes and agrees the sun is the moon, he tells her
it is the sun, to which she also agrees. He is trying to train Kate to obey him and humor him, even if
he is being ridiculous.
2. Kate is compared both to a field (the field is won) and to a participant in a game of bowling
(Thus the bowl should run). How does each of these comparisons objectify her?
Kate is a passive object in both of these metaphors. The field refers to a field of battle, the ground
which Petruchio has overrun and captured. When Petruchio invokes the game of bowling, he also
makes Kate a passive object; she is either the ball being directed towards the pins or the pins
standing still, waiting to be knocked down.
3. How does Petruchio make Vincentio a prop in his taming of Kate?
Petruchio refers to Vincentio as a young maiden, even though clearly he is not. Kate agrees with him
despite all the facts indicating that Vincentio is not a young maiden; when Petruchio ridicules her
for her mistake, she again agrees with his narrative and says she was just mistaken.
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4. While Kate is agreeing with Petruchio that Vincentio is a young maiden, she addresses Vincentio
with the following speech:
Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet,
Whither away, or where is thy abode?
Happy the parents of so fair a child;
Happier the man, whom favourable stars
Allot thee for his lovely bedfellow!
Why might Kate make such an embellished speech, instead of merely acknowledging Vincentio is a
maiden as Petruchio has said? What might the speech suggest about her?
The content and tone of Kates speech suggests that a change has occurred in her; her Young
budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet address to Vincentio is enthusiastic, poetic, and playful. For
the first time, she exceeds one of Petruchios demands; she seems to treat his behavior in regard to
Vincentio
as a game and to enter into the fun of it. Together they break the social convention of honoring an
older person by teasing Vincentio. At this moment, they are equally ridiculous, and Kate appears to be
enjoying herself.
5. Why is Vincentio angered to hear about Lucentios impending marriage? Why doesnt he believe
Petruchios account?
Vincentio is angry because he has not given consent for Lucentio to marry, and he is appalled that
his son would go forward without his blessing. Even so, Vincentio is reluctant to believe Petruchio
because Petruchio has behaved so strangely and falsely in pretending that Vincentio was a young
maiden.
6. What effect has Petruchio had on Hortensio?
Hortensio is impressed by the way Petruchio has tamed Kate and vows to do the same with his new
love, a widow.
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the pedant is lying about being Vincentio, Tranio might be lying about being Lucentio. This gap in
logic suggests that Gremio is not very intelligent.
5. How is the elaborate web of lies finally revealed?
The lies end when Lucentio appears. He explains the lies to his father and Baptista and asks his
father not to blame Biondello or Tranio.
6. What is the history of Vincentios relationship with Tranio? What does it suggest about the status
of servants in some Elizabethan households?
Vincentio says of Tranio, As if I knew not his name: I have brought him up ever since he was three
years old, and his name is Tranio. Tranio has grown up in Vincentios house, and although he is a
ser- vant, he is much like a member of the family, albeit one who lacks the status of Lucentio.
Vincentios relationship with Tranio suggests that this particular master/servant relationship existed
in numerous households during Shakespeares time.
7. How does Tranio and Biondellos treatment of Vincentio echo Petruchios treatment of Kate and
the lords treatment of Christopher Sly?
By claiming Vincentio is someone other than who he says he is, Tranio and Biondello make
Vincentio seemand possibly feelunhinged. Petruchio uses a similar tactic with Kate when he
behaves as though she has said something other than what she has said, and the lord uses the same
approach with Christopher Sly, treating him as though he is someone other than who he is.
8. How does Petruchio convince Kate to kiss him in the street?
When Kate says she would be ashamed to be seen kissing in the midst of the street, Petruchio
says, Why, then, lets home again. Because she wants to stay, she agrees to kiss him.
9. How might Petruchios kiss suggest something other than a game of obedience that he must win?
Petruchio and Kates marriage was arranged by her father as a financial transaction. Petruchios
insistence on a public display of affection suggests that he sees his marriage to Kate as more than a
financial contract. He may be expressing his genuine desire and affection for Kate and wanting her
to reciprocate these emotions. Also, the context of their exchange suggests that Petruchio is engaging
with his wife, not wielding power over her. They are both intrigued by the complications of Lucentio
and Biancas wedding, focusing together on that unfolding drama instead of their past differences.
When Kate says, Husband, lets follow to see the end of this ado, it is then that Petruchio suddenly
wants to kiss her; his desire for a kiss seems uncalculated, a genuine response to her calling him husband and speaking of them as a couple. Finally, after Kate kisses him, their behavior toward each
other is tender. Now pray thee, love, stay, Kate tells Petruchio. He responds, Is not this well?
Come, my sweet Kate: / Better once than never, for never too late, suggesting that it is not too late
for them to mend their relationship and perhaps to grow to love each other.
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1. Who takes offense when the widow suggests that Petruchio is afraid of Kate, and who does not?
Why is this surprising? What do the characters responses imply?
Kate takes offense at the widows suggestion that Petruchio is afraid of Kate, and Petruchio does not.
Their respective responses are surprising because Kate has appeared passive in recent scenes, and Petruchio has made his command of Kate a point of pride. Kates response may imply that she no longer
wants to be seen as a domineering woman; it also may suggest that she defends Petruchio because
she cares about his pride and wont stand to see him demeaned. As for Petruchio, his not taking
offense implies strongly that he also has changed in a significant way; his fiery temper and combative
nature are no longer evident. He may not take offense because the widows accusation is laughable
and be- cause he is sure of himself in his relationship with Kate.
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2. The widow is never referred to by name. What does this omission suggest?
The men do not show the widow respect, and failing to use her name is an indication of their disrespect. She has no identity as a person; she is only identified and defined by her marital status
before marrying Hortensio.
3. Bianca makes fun of Gremio, and then she makes several lewd jokes. How has she changed? What
might explain the change in her behavior?
Whereas in previous scenes Bianca has been proper and sometimes demure, her behavior at the wedding party is far from restrained. The change in her behavior might result from her feelings of
security now that she is married to the man she desires; she does not have to play a role or present a
false ap- pearance to win over a man. She also could be reverting to her true nature. Living with Kate
in their fathers house, Bianca might have adopted the personality of the ideal woman to set herself
apart from her sharp-tongued, outspoken sister and win her fathers approval; she also could have
been quiet and passive simply because she was overwhelmed and intimidated by Kate.
4. What metaphor does Tranio use to describe himself, and why? What motif does this metaphor illustrate? What idea does it convey?
Tranio compares himself to a greyhound, a dog which runs himself and catches for his master.
Tranio enjoys the spirit of the chase, the running, but his metaphor suggests he is happy to return the
spoils
of his efforts to his master. This hunting/training motif illustrates the correct subordinate role of the
servant that the social hierarchy demands, just as it demands the woman to take a subordinate role to
her husband.
5. Describe the banter between the men at the wedding. At whose expense do they joke?
The mens banter is witty and filled with sexual innuendo in regard to the widow and to Bianca. Although the men playfully ridicule each other, they make jokes mainly at the expense of the women.
6. Why wont the widow come when Hortensio entreats her? How does she respond to Hortensio?
What does this imply about her?
After witnessing the way Biondello came for Bianca, the widow doesnt believe that her husband
really needs her. She correctly suspects that shes being used as a part of a joke. Biondello reports to
Horten- sio, She says you have some goodly jest in hand: / She will not come. The widow asserts
herself fur- ther as she sends Biondello with a message to her husband: She bids you come to her.
The widows actions suggest that she is independent and clever, a woman who will not mindlessly
submit to her husband.
7. Lucentio bids his mistress come to him, Hortensio entreats, and Petruchio commands. What
differences do these words reflect about the balance of power in the three relationships? Lucentio and
Hortensio are polite and solicitous in their requests for their wives presence, which their language
shows. Petruchio, in contrast, shows no regard for Kate or her feelings when he commands that she
come to him. He does not need to be polite because he has all the power in their relationship, whereas
Lucentio and Hortensio do not have all the power in theirs.
SGT:42
SGT:43