The Taming of the Shrew Study Guide

• The Taming of the Shrew Study Guide
• The Taming of the Shrew Study Guide Act 3-5

The Renaissance Marriage

The Taming of the Shrew - Study Questions

Answer the following questions in complete sentences; be specific and use quotes from the play to support your work where possible.

INDUCTION

1.  What trick is played upon Christopher Sly?  Why?
 
 
 

2.  Why is "The Taming of the Shrew" considered a play within a play?
 
 

ACT I,  scene 1

3.  Why has Lucentio come to Padua?
 
 

4.  Of what is Baptista resolved concerning the marriage of his two daughters?
 
 

5.  What is Katherine's reputation?  Bianca's?
 
 
 

6.  What is Hortensio's plan to more quickly be able to win and marry Bianca?
 
 
 

7.  What is Tranio's plan for Lucentio?  What metamorphosis does this involve?
 
 
 

ACT I, scene 2

8.  What is Petruchio's motive in coming to Padua?
 

9.  How are Katherine's and Bianca's reputations further clarified?  What words/phrases are used to describe both women throughout the scene?
 
 
 
 
 
 

10. What does Petruchio's monologue (l.197-208) reveal about him?
 
 
 

11.  What is the suitors' (Gremio and Hortensio) reaction to Lucentio joining them as rivals to Bianca?
 
 
 
 
 

12. What specific images are used to describe the wooing of Katherine?
 
 
 
 
 

13. At the end of Act I, why are Bianca's suitors friendly with one another and indebted to Petruchio?
 
 
 
 

14. What role do the servants play?
 
 
 

Act II

1.  What information does Katherine hope to gain by tying Bianca's hands and questioning her?
 
 

2.  What type of language does Petruchio use to describe Katherine during his discussion with Baptista? (l. 42-65)  What does this tell us about his character?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3.  What names do Hortensia and Lucentio assume?  What roles will they play?
 
 
 
 

4.  What character does Tranio assume?  How does Baptista react to him?  Please quote from the text.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5.  Summarize the content of Petruchio and Baptista's conversation (l. 111-141)--be brief.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

6.  How is Hortensia injured?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

7.  When Katherine and Petruchio meet how do they get along?  Particularly, what is the pervading attitude in lines 182-196, 209-220, and in Petruchio's lines 264-277
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8.  What does Petruchio claim about his and Katherine's interaction?  How does Baptista react?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9.  At the end of Act II what are Tranio, Gremio, and Baptista discussing?  What decision is made?  What must Tranio do in light of this decision?

The Taming of the Shrew Study Guide Act 3-5

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Q&A: Question: (3/7/2010) Baptista wants to hire what for Bianca? ???? (3/9/2010)     Answer has been submitted and is awaiting approval. ???? (3/7/2010)     Answer has been submitted and is awaiting approval. ???? (3/7/2010)     Answer has been submitted and is awaiting approval. Question: (2/23/2010) Of what is Baptista resolved concerning the marriage of his two daughters? ???? (3/7/2010)     Answer has been submitted and is awaiting approval. Question: (2/15/2010) What does Petrichio claim about his and KAtherine's interaction? How does Baptista react? Question: (2/15/2010) what information does katherine hope to gain by tying Bianca's hands and questioning her ???? (3/7/2010)     Answer has been submitted and is awaiting approval. Question: (2/8/2010) How is Hortensia inured? ???? (3/3/2010)     Answer has been submitted and is awaiting approval. Answer: (2/22/2010) he wasnt Question: (1/27/2010) why ha slucentio come to padua? Answer: (2/8/2010) to pursue his konwledge Question: (1/21/2010) Just for clarification: Isn't the character "Hortensia" actually Hortensio? Reference: Act 2 Question 3 and Act 2 Question 6 From my knowledge, there is no "Hortensia" character. Thanks for the clarification. Question: (1/21/2010) What are Baptista�s motives for making the rule about his daughters? Question: (12/10/2009) what trick is played upon christopher sly and why? Answer: (1/19/2010) making him think hes a lord Answer: (12/13/2009) The trick that is played upon Christopher Sly is that he is made to believe that he is a Lord. This is done to create the setting of the play, where a play is being performed for Christopher Sly. It is a play within a play. Question: (12/10/2009) why is The taming of the shrew considered a play within a play? Answer: (1/21/2010) An acting group is performing "The Taming of the Shrew" for Christopher Sly Answer: (1/15/2010) the servants are playing a trick on sly. ...More Questions/Answers...		Comments: flor (5/26/2009) what role do the servants play