The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare Reading Assignments

Directions: Read the pages given, then complete the written assignment by referring to those pages read. All work is to be done on 81/2" x 11" looseleaf paper.

1. Induction, scenes 1 & 2, pp7-27

a. Describe fully the practical joke being played on Sly.
b. How is the play part of this practical joke.

2. Act 1, scene 1, pp31-49

a. Why does Lucentio fall in love with Bianca?
b. Why can’t Lucentio court Bianca? How does he plan to on “getting closer” to her?
c. Why does no one want to court Katherine?

3. Act 1, scene 2, pp49-69

a. Why does Petruchio agree to court Katherine?
b. Who has feelings for Bianca that are similar to Lucentio’s? How is his plan to “get closer” to Bianca similar to Lucentio’s?

4. Act 1, review

Character Chart: Create a character chart with the following columns and using Act 1, scenes 1 and 2, fill in the columns by taking notes for each character. Use page references to support your answers.

Character names****social position****personality****important information

5. Act 2, scene 1, pp73-105

a. Create the following chart and fill in the empty columns

Character****Pretending to be****Reason for the pretense
Lucentio
Tranio
Hortensio

b. How does Katherine treat Bianca? “Litio”? Petruchio? How is each character’s reaction to her treatment different? What does this reveal about each character’s personality? (Be specific)
c. Why does Bianca become available to be courted? Who does Baptista approve for her fiancé? Why does he make this choice?

6. Act 3, scene 1, pp109-115

a. How is Bianca in the middle of a love triangle?
b. Why is Hortensio so angry? What does this tell you about the type of person he is?

7. Act 3, scene 2, pp115-135

a. Using your own words, explain how Petruchio dresses for and acts at his wedding. Why do you think he dresses and acts this way?
b. Why is Baptista shocked and a little offended at the end of the scene? How would you have reacted? (Explain your answer)

8. Act 4, scene 1, pp137-153

a. How is Petruchio treating his servants? Katherine?
b. What is Petruchio determined to do to Katherine now that he has married her? Do you think this reflects the love of a man for a woman? Explain your position fully using specific references to the text.

9. Act 4, scene 2, pp153-163

a. How does Hortensio react when he sees Bianca with “Cambio”? Why does he react his way?
b. Who is Vincentio? Why must Tranio find someone to pretend to be Vincentio?
c. How does Tranio convince the merchant to pretend to be Vincentio?

10. Act 4, scene 3, pp163-177

At the end of the scene, Petruchio says, “I will not go today, and, ere I do,/ It shall be what o’clock I say it is.” (lines 201-201)
a. Where is he refusing to go?
b. Why is he refusing to go?
c. What do you think Katherine should do? Explain why you think she should do this.

11. Act 4, scene 4, pp177-185

a. What is Lucentio planning for himself and Bianca?
b. What must Tranio and the merchant do in order for the plan to work?
c. Do you think this was a good idea? Explain your position.

12. Act 4, scene 5, pp185-191

a. Petruchio finally “tames” Katherine. How does he test her while they are journeying to her father’s house? Does she pass the test? Why or why not?
b. Has Katherine made the right decision in how she is acting as a wife? Do you think she is a hypocrite? Explain your position.

13. Act 5, scene 1, pp195-205

a. Does the plan for Lucentio and Bianca turn out as they planned? Explain fully.
b. How did his plan almost result in his father’s arrest by the city guards?

14. Act 5, scene 2, pp205-221

a. Who wins the bet made by the newly married men? Why does he win?
b. How has Bianca changed since she has been married? Are you surprised? Explain your position.
c. What are the wifely duties as stated by Katherine? Do you think she really believes them to be true? Why or why not? Do you believe them to be true? Why or why not?

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