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Overview
Synopsis
Modest and beautiful young Bianca is the most coveted young maiden in Padua...but no one can marry her before a match is found for her wild, willful, “shrewish” older sister, Kate. Kate has tormented and frightened every man who dared to dance her way, and Bianca and her suitors have nearly given up hope. That is, until Petruchio comes to town. When a team of Bianca’s suitors bribe Petruchio to try his hand at marrying Kate, he is eager for the challenge – and to get his hands on Kate’s considerable dowry. As maddeningly strong-willed as Kate herself, Petruchio is determined that he can “tame” this shrew. What ensues is one of Shakespeare’s most outrageous comedies, in which two misfits who have never compromised in their lives take a riotous journey towards becoming each other’s perfect match.
Show Information
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1591
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Period
- Time & Place
- padua, italy, time unspecified
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters
Context
The Taming of the Shrew features a framing induction that does not return at the end of the play. In a version of the story entitled The Taming of a Shrew, believed to be a badly bootlegged copy of Shakespeare’s play, however, the framing device returns at the end. Some productions have incorporated these scenes into productions of Shakespeare’s play, though there is no evidence that Shakespeare wrote these scenes.
There are numerous film adaptations of The Taming of the Shrew
to read the context for The Taming of the Shrew and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
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
to read the plot for The Taming of the Shrew and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A poetic or formal farewell often used in classical and period drama to underscore emotion or finality.
An allusion is an indirect reference to another work of literature, art, historical event, or cultural figure. Playwrights often use allusions to add deeper meaning or context to a character’s dialogue or a scene.
An old English curse or mild oath meaning 'curse upon,' often found in Shakespearean texts.
To scold or rebuke, frequently appearing in English Renaissance drama.
An extended metaphor or fanciful idea used in drama or literature to convey complex concepts.
To conceal one's true motives or feelings, a frequent tactic in English Renaissance drama.
To take off, especially clothing or hats; used in older theatrical texts to indicate respect or transition.
Relating to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, marked by flourishing English drama and playwrights like Shakespeare and Marlowe.
Used in classical texts to describe beauty or fairness; also used in dialogue to suggest sincerity or justice.
A term in classical medicine and drama referring to bodily fluids that affect temperament; also used to mean comedy. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
A poetic meter consisting of five iambs per line, widely used in English Renaissance drama by playwrights like Shakespeare.
A servant or deceitful man, often used in Shakespearean plays as a term of insult or social rank. This archetype is common in comedic and villainous roles in English Renaissance drama, revealing class tensions and dramatic contrasts.
An exclamation or mild oath in English Renaissance theatre, derived from 'by the Virgin Mary.' Used to express surprise or emphasis in period dialogue.
A scheduled gathering or appointment in the theatrical world, often referring to production meetings or auditions. Meets ensure collaboration and planning among cast, crew, and creatives throughout the production process.
An archaic contraction of 'I pray thee,' used in English Renaissance plays to make polite requests or appeals. It conveys period formality and is frequently seen in Shakespearean dialogue.
An introductory speech or scene that sets up the context or themes of a play. Prologues are commonly used in classical drama to prepare the audience for what follows.
Historically associated with melancholy or ill temper, 'spleen' appears in poetic drama to express emotional imbalance.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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