The Shakespeare Book

32

A

drunken tinker called

Christopher Sly argues

with the hostess of an

alehouse and is thrown out. A

passing Lord and his servants trick

him into believing that he is a lord,

and invite him to watch a play. The

play is set in Italy and begins with

Lucentio and his servant Tranio

arriving in Padua. They overhear

Baptista Minola explaining to

Hortensio and Gremio, suitors

to his daughter Bianca, that they

cannot marry her until a husband

is found for Katherine, his eldest

daughter. Lucentio also falls in love

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

with Bianca, and plans to beat

the other suitors for her hand in

marriage. He decides to don a

disguise and offer his services as

her tutor, and instructs his servant,

Tranio, to impersonate him.

Hortensio’s friend Petruccio

arrives in Padua and declares his

intention to marry a woman with

a large dowry. Hortensio suggests

Katherine Minola and Petruccio

determines to woo, win, and wed

her, despite her shrewish reputation.

Petruccio comes to woo

Katherine and presents Licio

(Hortensio in disguise) as a music

DRAMATIS

PERSONAE

Christopher Sly A drunken

tinker.

Baptista The father of

Katherine and Bianca, who

negotiates with their suitors.

Katherine A strong,

opinionated woman with a

reputation that precedes her.

Bianca Katherine’s younger

sister, who is the object of

affection for several suitors.

Petruccio A gentleman of

Verona who travels to Padua to

marry into a wealthy family.

Grumio Petruccio’s servant,

who taunts Katherine with

food when his master has

forbidden her to eat.

Gremio An old wealthy man

who is in love with Bianca.

Hortensio Bianca’s suitor,

who disguises himself as the

teacher Licio in order to gain

access to her.

Lucentio A young man from

Pisa who disguises himself

as the teacher Cambio in order

to woo Bianca.

Vincentio Lucentio’s father

who travels to Padua and is

shocked to discover that

another man has assumed

his identity.

Tranio Lucentio’s servant

who pretends to be his master

while his master plays the

part of Cambio.

Biondello Another servant

to Lucentio.

1.2

2.1

INDUCTION

1.1

3.1

Hortensio tells

Petruccio about

Katherine.

Christopher Sly settles

down to watch a play,

wrongly believing himself

to be a lord.

Lucentio spies Bianca

and hatches a plan

to woo her.

Lucentio and Hortensio

tutor Bianca, taking the

opportunity to divulge

their love for her.

Katherine breaks

a lute over

Hortensio’s head,

and is told by

Petruccio that they

will marry on

Sunday.

Act 1 Act 2