The Taming of the Shrew

1- Who was Baptista?

He was a rich gentleman who lived in Padua, Italy. He had two daughters- Katherine and Bianca.
2- What do you know about Bianca?
Bianca was sweet and gentle young woman, and many men wanted to marry her.
3- Why it wasn’t easy to find a husband for Katherine?
Because she was bossy and rude, and she loved to argue with everyone.
4- Why was Katherine called the Shrew?
Because she was so bad tempered and difficult.
5- Why did Petruchio come to Padua?
Because he was looking for a wife. He heard about Katherine and he was curious to meet her.
6- Why was the music teacher complaining?
Because Katherine hit him on the head with her musical instrument.
7- What was Baptista’s reaction when Petruchio asked him to give him money in case he
married Katherine?
Baptista was surprised, but he agreed and told Petruchio that he would be the owner of his land
and money after his death.
8- Petruchio thought about the best way to behave with Katherine. Explain
He will tell her that she sounds as sweet as a bird if she shouts, and if she is angry, he will tell
her that she looks like a rose in the fresh morning. In case she says nothing, he will tell her how
beautifully she speaks.
9- What did Petruchio tell Baptista after he met Katherine?
He told Baptista that Katherine agreed to marry him next Saturday.
10-What did Petruchio tell Katherine about the wedding preparation?
He told her that he was going to Venice to buy the ring and the best wedding dress.
11-‘I am afraid this is not the right description of my daughter.’
Baptista said that to Petruchio when Petruchio asked him to meet Katherine, and called
her gentle.

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12-‘Katherine has just hit me on the head.’
The music teacher said that to Baptista and Petruchio after Katherine had hit him with
her musical instrument.
13-‘If she says nothing at all, I will tell her how beautifully she speaks.’
Petruchio said that to himself when he was thinking how to behave in front of
Katherine.
14-‘I would rather die than marry this man.’
Katherine said that to Baptista when Petruchio told him that she agreed to marry him.

15-What did Petruchio do during his wedding party?

*He arrived late. He also dressed himself in strange clothes as it was a joke.
16-“Katherine is marrying me, not my clothes.” Comment.
*Petruchio said that to people when he refused to change his strange clothes.
17-Why did Petruchio act in a strange way during the wedding party?
*He did that because it was part of his plan to change Katherine into a quiet and obedient
wife.
18-“I`m going to take my new wife straight home.” Comment.
* Petruchio said that to Katherine and her father when he refused to stay at the party.
19-How did the couple go home?
* Petruchio called for two horses to carry them home. These horses were old, thin and
weak.
20-“You can`t eat this food. You should only eat the best food and this food is terrible.”
Comment.
* Petruchio said that to his wife, Katherine when he took the food away and let her sleep
feeling hungry.
21-“The servants haven`t made the bed perfectly for you! You shouldn`t sleep in a bed
that isn`t perfect.” Comment.
* Petruchio said that to his wife, Katherine when he asked her to sleep on a chair instead of
the bed.
22-“Did you marry me so that I would die of hunger?” comment.
* Katherine said that to Petruchio when he complained about the breakfast.
23-“This food is perfectly cooked. I cooked it myself.” Comment.
* Petruchio said that to his wife, Katherine when he gave her a small amount of food.
24-“Oh, you didn`t even say thank you!” comment.
* Petruchio said that to his wife, Katherine when he asked the servant to take the food
away.

25-Katherine was disappointed when she went to the wedding party. Explain.

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*Although she liked the new clothes which Petruchio brought, he pretended that he didn`t
like them. She went to her father`s house wearing her old clothes.
26-“Ah, you must be Lucentio`s father! I know him.” Comment.
* Petruchio said that to the father of Bianca`s husband when they met him on their way to
the wedding party.
27-“You married a shrew while we both chose quiet, obedient wives!” comment.
*Lucentio and Hortensio said that to Petruchio to make fun of his marriage to Katherine.
28-“I disagree, and I will show you what I mean. Let`s have a competition.” Comment.
* Petruchio said that to Lucentio and Hortensio when they challenged to see who is the
most obedient wife.
29-“Your wife says she is busy.” Comment.
*The servant said that to Lucentio when he asked his wife to come, but she refused.
30-“Tell my husband to come to me instead.” Comment.
*Hortensio`s wife said that to the servant when she refused to come.
31-“Please call Katherine now.” Comment.
* Petruchio said that to the servant to call his wife. Katherine came quickly, so he won the
competition.
32-“She has changed completely!” comment.
*Baptista said that to Petruchio when he saw his daughter followed her husband`s orders.
33-“Why did you obey your husband and take off your hat? I would never do that!”
comment.
*Bianca said that to Katherine when she took off her hat and followed her husband`s
orders.
34-“I think you need to teach these two women how to be obedient wives.” Comment.
* Petruchio said that to his wife, Katherine to teach Lucentio and Hortensio`s wives to obey
their husbands.