The Taming of the Shrew – Summaries
ACT ONE
Act I, Scene i
Lucentio, son of a wealthy merchant (Vincentio) arrives in Padua accompanied by his servant, Tranio to study at the university. The two men overhear Baptista Minola telling two men, Gremio and Hortensio, that nobody will be allowed to marry his younger daughter, the beautiful Bianca, until a suitable husband has been found for his shrewish older daughter, Katherina. Baptista also mentions to G&H that he is looking for a tutor for Bianca.
Lucentio sees Bianca and instantly falls in love with her. He decides to change identities with Tranio so that he may pose as a tutor and get Bianca to fall in love with him. Tranio, posing as Lucentio will make himself a third suitor to Bianca. Biondello, Lucentio’s other servant arrives to find Lucentio and Tranio in each others clothes and is very confused. The two explain that Lucentio accidentally killed someone in a fight and they have to exchange clothes to save his life.
Act I, Scene ii
With his servant, Grumio, Petruchio (having travelled to Padua from Verona) arrives at Hortensio’s house. He is there to ‘wive and thrive’. Hortensio, seeing opportunity to marry Kate off and therefore allow renewed access to Bianca, tells Petrucio of Kate (and her large dowry). Despite the description of kate’s temper, Petruchio agrees to meet her. Hortensio disguises himself as a tutor and the two set off for the Minola household.
In the meantime, Lucentio (disguised as tutor Cambio) enters with Gremio who has agreed to introduce Lucentio as the tutor for Bianca. Tranio now enters, disguised as Lucentio, along with Biondello. Seeing this group of men discussing the news of Petrucio and Kate, Tranio asks for directions to Baptista’s house and indicates he is on his way to woo Bianca. Gremio is upset that there is yet another competitor for her love, but the news that Kate may soon be married causes all to rejoice.
ACT TWO
Act II, Scene 1
Petruchio, accompanied by all the others, arrives at Baptista’s house. P introduces the disguised Hortensio as a music teacher for Bianca and declares his desire to marry Kate. Baptista recognises Petruchio as the son of an old friend and is happy to see him. Gremio introduces Lucention/Cambio as another tutor and Tranio/Lucentio announces his desire to woo Bianca. The two new ‘tutors’ lave to instruct their pupil while P and Bapitsta discuss Kate’s dowry. P says he will marry Kate on Sunday, B agrees. Kate and Petrucio meet, exchanging witty puns which show they are actually quite a good match for each other. Now kate is engaged, Gremio & Tranio ask Baptista for Bianca’s hand (Hortensio is still pretending to be a tutor). Bapt tells them that the wealthiest shall marry her. T & G list their wealth with T winning.
ACT THREE
Act III, Scene I
The two ‘tutors’ make their play for Bianca.. Bianca offers Cambio/Lucentio a glimmer of hope when she rejects Hortensio/Litio. Bianca is called away to help prepare for Kate’s upcoming nuptuals and the two suitors leave.
Act III, scene ii
Kate’s wedding day has arrived and Petrucio is noticeably absent. He eventually shows up dressed in an old jacket turned inside out, tattered pants and boots so worn out they have been used to hold rubbish. When the wedding is complete, P refuses to stay for the reception and despite Kate’s insistence on being allowed to stay, the newlyweds depart immediately for Verona.
Act IV
ACT IV, Scene i
Kate and Petruchio arrive at his home in the country and Petruchio begins his first lesson in the ‘taming’ of the shrewish Kate. On her wedding night, Kate goes to bed cold, dirty, hungry and alone. P lets the audience in on his plan to ‘tame’ Kate like a falconer tames his falcon.
Act IV, Scene ii
Trano, Lucentio and Bianca are thrilled to hear that Hortensio has decided to marry a wealthy widow. Needing someone to pretend to be Lucentio’s father so that they may confirm Lucentio has the money he says he does, Biondello convinces a pedant to pretend to be Lucentios father, Vincentio.
Act IV, Scene iii
Back in Verona, Petruchio continues his taming of Kate by starving her, depriving her of sleep, and destroying her new clothes. When she continually refuses to accept Petruchio’s authority, he cancels their trip back to Padua.
Act IV, Scene iv
The pedant takes on his role as Lucentio’s father Vincentio, and is introduced to Baptista. The pedant tells Baptista that he agrees to the financial arrangements for the marriage, and the men agree to meet at Tranio’s house to continue planning the wedding. Bapitsta sends Cambio/Lucentio to tell Bianca that the wedding arrangements are being made and Biondello informs Lucentio that now is the perfect time for him to marry Bianca. Lucentio agrees and Biondello goes off to find a priest.
Act iV, Scene v
Petrucio and Kate begin their trip back to the Padua. On the way, Kate finally understands what she has to do to get along with Petruchio. On the journey, Kate, Petruchio, Hortensio encounter the real Vincentio who is visiting Padua in order to see his son, Lucentio.
ACT V
Act V, Scene i
Bianca and Lucentio run away to be married. Kate, P, H and Vincentio arrive in Padua at Lucentio’s dwelling. The pedant, still pretending to be V, is not cordial to the visitors. Biondello pretends not to know V just as Tranio enters still dressed as Lucentio. V thinks that Lucentio has been killed but Lucentio arrives in time to reassure his father he is fine. L and B tell Baptista that they are married and V agrees to providing the money agreed upon by the imposter Pedant. Everyone goes into the house for the wedding banquet leaving Kate & Petruchio alone on the street. They kiss for the first (real) time and P feels his taming is complete and successful.
Act V, Scene ii
The wedding banquet continues and the men place wagers on which wife will be the most obedient by coming to the room when called. Both Bianca and the widow refuse to come when called, but Kate, to the surprise of everyone, comes immediately. Kate tells the other women that they owe their husbands obedience. P has won the wager and Baptista adds ot Kate’s dowry because she is such a changed woman. While the guests continue to celebrate, Kate and P leave the feast for their first real night together as man and wife.