Act 5 Scenes 1 & 2

Scene 1 (Outside Lucentio’s lodgings)

Lucentio and Bianca set off to be married. Petruchio directs Vincentio to his son’s
lodgings. The Merchant, still pretending to be Vincentio, turns them away (lines 1 – 24).

Vincentio, Lucentio’s father, arrives at his son’s house to find a large party in full swing and
no welcome for him. There is a dramatic irony here: explain in a few sentences.

The Merchant and Vincentio both claim to be Lucentio’s father. Vincentio recognises
Biondello, who denies knowing him. Vincentio beats him angrily (lines 25 – 48).

‘I never saw you before’

Read lines 33 – 46: why does Biondello pretend not to know Vincentio?

Vincentio is astonished to see Tranio pretending to be Lucentio. He fears for his son’s life.
Despite Gremio’s suspicions, Vincentio is on the point of being arrested (lines 50 – 84).

Tranio caught red-handed

Tranio dressed as his master Lucentio, pretends not to know Vincentio. Vincentio begins
to think that the servants (Tranio and Biondello) have murdered his son and stollen his
money.
• What verbal clues suggest a comic response here?
• Are there any elements of cruelty or humiliation (Vincentio’s distress for example)?

What are you wearing?

Vincentio appears to be angry that Tranio is wearing grand clothes and assuming an
identity that does not fit his status as a servant. Tranio rather impertinently comments on
how Vincentio’s ‘sober’ (respectable) style of clothing is an attempt to disguise the
madman underneath.

• How is Tranio’s understanding of clothing and social status similar to Petruchio’s

ideas about clothing and identity? Refer to one or two quotations that relate to
clothing to formulate your own ideas about the themes of appearance and reality
and social class relations in the play.

Suspicious Gremio

• What is it that makes Gremio suspect a trick and yet is afraid to swear to it on oath
(lines 74 – 81)?
Lucentio begs Vincentio to forgive him. He then explains to Baptista that he is now
Bianca’s husband. Both fathers are far from happy (lines 85 – 125).

Discovery!

Lines 87 – 93 make an intensely dramatic and funny episode. Suddenly all is revealed.
• Look at Vincentio’s response when Lucentio asks him to pardon Tranio (line 105)
and Baptista’s response to the secret marriage (105 – 11). Do you think it likely that
their fathers will forgive them any time soon?

Language in the play

‘Love wrought these miracles’ (line 98)

• Lucentio uses high flown language and blames his wrongdoings on the strength of
his love for Bianca. Could Shakespeare be presenting an alternative view of these
lovers? If so, what view is he presenting?

‘kiss me, Kate’ (line 116)

Katherina reluctantly kisses Petruchio. He feels very pleased with the way things have
turned out.
• For the first time, Katherina calls Petruchio ‘love’ (line 123) and completes his
rhyme (away/stay). What is your reaction to this scene?

Act 5 Scene 2 (Lucentio’s lodgings)

Lucentio welcomes everyone to the banquet held to celebrate the three weddings (lines 1 -
14).

This scene opens with Lucentio’s speech and a musical image, perhaps suggesting that
harmony has finally been achieved, but there are also references to conflict.

The guests exchange witty banter, especially the widow and Katherina, encouraged by the
men. Bianca leads the women from the room (lines 15 – 48).

Proverbs
Widows in the Elizabethan period were often stereotyped as assertive and independent
women, and Hortensio’s new wife has been described as a ‘wealthy’ and ‘lusty’ widow (Act
4 Scene 2, lines 37 and 50). Her remark at line 20 is insulting to Katherina, who demands
to know what she means by it (lines 26-7).

• Explain in your own words what the meaning is in this context (the Widow explains
in lines 28 – 30).

Language in the play

In lines 16 – 37, Petruchio and Hortensio champion their wives in a battle of wits.
 • Identify the puns and work out how the Widow, Petruchio and Katherina change the
meaning of words to fling insults around.
The men joke about whose wife is least obedient. Petruchio proposes a wager – each
husband will send for his wife to see which one obeys most promptly. Lucentio begins the
contest (lines 49 – 79).

Characters
The wager

• Petruchio initiates the wager. Is he bold and confident or reckless and competitive?
• How much of a risk do you think Petruchio is taking and does his challenge suggest
he still thinks of Katherina as he would a hawk, a hound or a horse. Or is he
returning control to her?

Biondello returns with the news that neither Bianca nor the Widow will come. Katherina,
however, answers the summons. Petruchio sends her back to fetch the other two wives
(lines 79 – 105).

• What answer do the first two wives give for not answering the summons?

Baptista congratulates Petruchio and awards him a second dowry. On Katherina’s return
with Bianca and the Widow, Petruchio instructs her to tell the other women the duty they
owe their husbands (lines 96 – 136).

Themes
Petruchio’s view of marriage

A. Write a paragraph, using embedded quotations, to describe what Petruchio thinks

makes a good marriage. Consider the following suggestions (you can add your own):
• He can trust her and she won’t embarrass him.
• He can boss her about and make her a slave.
• He can feel good about himself and so can she.
• He can be cruel and heartless and she will obey him.

B. Read lines 125 – 9 and briefly improvise a discussion between Lucentio and Bianca
about what each expects from their marriage.

Katherina rebukes Bianca and the Widow for their aggression and for failing to recognise
their husbands’ superior status. She compares women to a prince’s subjects, saying they
should likewise serve and obey (lines 136 – 68).

A wife’s duty
Katherina’s final speech about a wife’s duty of obedience to her husband presents a
challenge to the actor, director and audience. Petruchio has already won his bet,
preserved his pride and gained a second dowry, so what is the purpose of this
controversial speech? How would you advise the actor cast as Katherina to speak and
behave on stage?
• As insane? If so, the play could be seen as a commentary on domestic violence
and emotional abuse – the cruel subjection of one person’s will to another’s.
• As humorously ironic and tactical?
• Write a paragraph, using embedded quotations, describing the picture you get of
the relationship between the sexes in this scene.

Katherina concludes her speech by stressing the physical weakness of women. She says
she will place her hand beneath Petruchio’s foot as token of submission. He is delighted,
and they go off to bed (lines 169 – 89).