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Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona of shrewd wit and unflappable temper, decides to marry Katharina, the notorious elder daughter of Baptista, a rich gentleman of Padua. He carries his courtship through with a high hand, not put off by her rudeness, but pretending to find her courteous and gentle. Then the taming begins…
He humiliates Katharina by keeping her waiting on her wedding day and at last appearing dressed like a scarecrow. He hits the priest, refuses to attend the bridal feast and hurries his wife off, on an old horse, to his home....
On arrival, he refuses to let her eat or sleep, pretending that the food and bed prepared are not good enough for her. Finally he takes her back to her father's house, which she reaches completely tamed....
Meanwhile, her sister Bianca has been won by Lucentio, who masqueraded as a schoolteacher. Hortensio has married a widow. They all have a bet as to which wife shall prove the most docile. Petruchio wins triumphantly!
Why is Kate called a 'Shrew'?
Shrews are very active, solitary surface dwellers. Dispersion is maintained by aggressive behaviour at all times, except mating, and the fighting is stereotyped and involves great use of the voice, resulting in 'squeaking matches'
A fatherly act? Baptista will not allow Katherina off his hands. What does this show about the relationship between the two sisters? Is he being more unkind to Bianca or to Katherina?
Money is clearly an important consideration for Baptista in the marriage of his daughters. How important is money in finding a partner?
Katherina's or Petruchio's diary. What do they really think about each other?
Parodies in the style of 'Blind Date' by
Sophie James
Zoe Murphy
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