The Taming of the Shrew

Induction, Scene 1

Christopher Sly is being kicked out of the Alehouse by the Hostess for being belligerent and breaking glasses. She tells him to leave and he refuses, so she goes to fetch a constable to get rid of him. Sly falls asleep outside the alehouse.

A Lord and First Huntsmen enter arguing about what hunting dog is better. The lord sees Sly passed out in front of the alehouse and decides to play a trick on him. He tells his servants to take him home, place him in bed, and when he wakes up, treat Sly as if he was a wealthy gentleman who has just woken up from a dream of being a beggar. He commands his page to dress like a woman and pretend to be this beggar’s wife, relieved that her husband has woken from sickness after many long years. A troop of actors comes by, and the Lord hires them to help solidify this ruse with a play. The Lord is excited to have some fun and amusement with this trick.

Induction, Scene 2

Christopher Sly has woken up and is trying to convince all the