Taming of the Shrew
馴悍記
Summary 大意
Baptista is one of the rich men in Italy, who has two daughters, named Katherine and Bianca.
Katherine is a smart but arrogant “shrew.” She is dreadful to each and every man that no one
would want to marry Katherine. But her younger sister is a sweet lady that every man in Italy wants
to marry her. Baptista and his wife are afraid that Katherine won’t be able to get married in the
future, but Katherine doesn’t seem care about it. Petruchio, a smart, witty man who gets interested
in Katherine and marries her, also uses all methods to tame Katherine the shrew. How will Petruchio
tame Katherine the shrew? Can he make it? Let’s wait and see!
Baptista 是個義大利的富翁之一，他有兩個寶貝女兒叫 Katherine 和 Bianca。 Katherine
聰明卻傲慢、脾氣壞而且又愛罵人，在男人眼裡，她是個可怕的潑婦，跟本不會有人想
娶她。 但她的妹妹卻是個甜蜜的女子，所有義大利的男士們都想娶她。Baptista 和他的
太太一直很擔心 Katherine 會嫁不出去，但 Katherine 似乎毫不在乎。有個叫 Petruchio 的
智慧且幽默男子對 Katherine 產生興趣並且娶了她，更用盡各種方法「馴服」壞脾氣的
Katherine。 Petruchio 到底會用什麼方法「馴服」壞脾氣的 Katherine 呢？他會成功嗎？
讓我們拭目以待吧！
Taming of the Shrew
Act 1
Narrator 1, Baptista, Baptista’s wife, Baptista’s servant, and Lucentio.
Narrator1: Baptista is one of the rich men in Italy, who has two daughters, named Katherine and
Bianca.
Baptista and his wife are sitting on the sofa in the living room.
Baptista: Oh, darling. Our daughter, Katherine, is already 20 years old, but she still hasn’t found a
husband.
Baptista’s wife: I understand that. But the big problem is that Katherine has no interest in marriage
and the men view her as the devil. Who would want to marry her?
Baptista’s servant comes into the room
Baptista’s servant: Master, there’s a man outside named Lucentio, who would like to meet you.
Baptista: Let him come in
Baptista’s servant: Yes, Master.
Lucentio: Good evening. My name is Lucentio. I’d like to marry your daughter Bianca. I love her
so much. Since the first time I saw her, I have already known she is the lady I’ve been
looking for.
Baptista: I’m sorry, but I made a rule, that is, my older daughter, Katherine, must marry before my
younger daughter Bianca gets married.
Lucentio sadly leaves
Lucentio: Who wants to marry Katherine! Everybody knows that she is a shrew! Oh! Why! Why
Katherine the shrew is my dear Bianca’s sister!
Act 2
Narrator 1, Lucentio and Petruchio.
Narrator1: Lucentio still never gives up marrying Bianca. One day he goes to his friend,
Petruchio’s home.
Petruchio: Hi, Lucentio. I haven’t seen you for a while. What happened? Why do you look so sad?
Lucentio: Well, here’s what happened....
Petruchio: Hmm... That’s interesting. I can’t wait to see what kind of the girl Katherine is. Hay, I
have a great idea! She’s mean but rich. I’ll woo Katherine and I want to marry her.
I’ll turn her into a different lady and you’ll see how obedient and duteous she will
become. And if I marry her, you can also marry Bianca, right?
Lucentio: What a great idea! But ...... are you sure you want to marry a shrew? You’d better think
about it carefully!
Petruchio: Yes, I am very sure. If I marry her, I will be so rich that you can’t even image how rich
I will become!
Act 3
Narrator1, Katherine, Bianca, Baptista, Baptista’s wife, Baptista’s servent, and Petruchio.
Narrator1: In Baptista’s home, Katherine and Bianca are fighting in the living room.
Katherine and Bianca are fighting in the living room.
Katherine: Hay, that’s my skirt, not yours. Do not touch my things.
Bianca: Sister, why are you so selfish? I have already said that I need the skirt for the party. Please,
only a night!
Katherine: No way. Not even a second.
Bianca: I’m going tell Mom.
Katherine: Go ahead and tell her. I’m not afraid of any of you!
Bianca starts to cry.
Katherine: This is the last time I’m going to warn you.
Bianca still holds the skirt on her hands. Katherine begins to grab Bianca’s hair and starts to hit
her.
Baptista and his wife come into the living room
Bianca: Oh! Mom, help me. Sister is beating me up! It hurts!
Baptista’s wife: Let go, Katherine. (Speaks angrily.)
Bianca: Mom, she’s so selfish. I was just trying to borrow a skirt from her, and she began to hit
me.
Baptista’s wife: Darling, I know. Your father and I will have to teach your sister some manners.
You go back to your room and take a rest. I’ll buy you a new skirt for the party
tomorrow.
Bianca cries and runs out
Baptista: Katherine, sit down. We need to talk about your future.
Katherine: There’s nothing to talk about my future. I’ve already said I don’t want to get
married. You don’t need to worry about my future, because I don’t care about my
marriage. Why do we women have to get married anyway?
Baptista: Every woman has to get married! There’s no reason and excuse for your marriage!
Baptista’s servant runs into the living room.
Baptista’ servant: Master, there’s a man outside who would like to meet you.
Baptista: Tell him to come in.
Baptista’ servant: Yes, Master.
Petruchio comes in.
Petruchio: Good afternoon. My name is Petruchio. I’ve been in love with your daughter, Katherine.
We’ve been together for a month and we love each other so much, I’d like to marry
her.
Katherine: I’m sorry, but I’m afraid you got the wrong person. I don’t think I know you,
mister.
Baptista: Fabulous! That’s exactly what I dreamed for.
Katherine: No, No. I don’t even know him.
Petruchio: How sweet you are, Katherine! Don’t be shy. Let’s tell your father how deep we love
each other and we’ve decided that the wedding will be on next Friday! Don’t you
think that’s a great idea, Father?
Katherine: Oh! You…
Baptista: Interrupts Katherine. Great, the wedding will be on next Friday.
Act 4
Narrator 1, Katherine, Petruchio, Baptista, Baptista’s wife, Baptista’s servant, Bianca, Guest 1,
and Guest 2.
Narrator1: Today is Katherine and Petruchio’s wedding day. But Petruchio is late for the wedding
and everyone is worried about him.
Katherine: What is that fool doing? I’m really mad now. I don’t want to marry him anyway!
When he comes, I’ll kick his ass and run away from this stupid wedding!
Baptista: Watch your words.
Baptista’s wife: Where is our son-in-law anyway?
Bianca: Sister, don’t be so mad. He’ll be here soon.
Guest 1: Are they sure this is still a wedding?
Guest 2: I wonder where Petruchio is.
Guest 1: Does he know it is his wedding?
Guest 2: Sees Petruchio and points at him. There comes Petruchio.
Petruchio runs into the church with dirty and messy clothes on.
Petruchio: Baby, here I come.
Katherine: Hay! It’s our wedding. You can’t just wear something like that!
Petruchio: Oh, baby. You love me, not my clothes.
Katherine: Who loves you, I don’t even know you. Go away! Don’t touch me, beggar!
The pastor: Please be silent. Let’s start the wedding.
Petruchio holds Katherine’s hands, but Katherine doesn’t want him to do that; they walk to the
pastor
The pastor: Petruchio, will you always love the bride forever until you die?
Petruchio: Yes! (Very loudly, and happily!)
All of the people are scared by his loud voice.
The pastor: And the bride, will you love the bridegroom forever until you die?
Katherine: No! No! No way! (Unhappily)
Petruchio: Come on, darling! Just say “yes” bravely! Don’t be shy. Please keep it up, pastor.
The pastor: Oh….oh. Yes. Now you can kiss the bride!
Katherine: No! She begins to run.
Petruchio: Just skip it. My dear Katherine is a very shy lady. Stops Katherine and holds her.
The pastor: Let’s welcome the bride’s father to say something about this marriage.
The guests on the wedding: Clap hands.
Baptista: Thank you very much, my friends, my family and everyone here. Thank you for coming to
my daughter’s wedding. I…
Petruchio: Laugh loudly. Oh! Yes! You’re right! Everybody clap hands! He’s wonderful!
Baptista: Oh…Thank you, Petruchio. Where were we? Oh, I’m very happy that…
Petruchio: Throw a holy bible to Baptista hard. You jerk! How could you say that! You are the most
stupid person I’ve ever seen!
Baptista: Thank you…Oh! No! How could you say that!
Baptista’s servant: Brings a glass of water to the stage. Master, have some water.
Baptista keeps talking (with no sound.)
Baptista’s wife: Oh! What a mess.
Guest1: Petruchio must be crazy!
Guest2: No wonder he wants to marry Katherine, the shrew!
Guest1: Poor Baptista! His daughter is crazy enough. But now he has a son-in-law who is even
crazier than Katherine!
Guest 2: Poor them. God bless them.
Baptista: Go back to his seat. God! Why? Why me?
Katherine: God! Why!
Petruchio: Begin to yell. Katherine! I love you! I love you!
Act 5
Narrator 1, Narrator 2, Petruchio, Grumio (Petruchio’s servant), Katherine,
Narrator1: After the wedding is finished, Petruchio refuses to stay for the feast saying that he has
something to do.Katherine entreats him to let her stay, but he insists she leaves with
him.So Petruchio and Katherine go back to Petruchio’s household, where Petruchio
begins yelling at his servants.
Petruchio: Oh, dear. You must be hungry, let me get you some food to eat. Grumio......
Grumio quickly runs in
Grumio: Yes, master.
Petruchio: Go to the kitchen and tell the servants to make some delicious food for Madame.
Grumio: Yes, master.
Grumio quickly brings the food out.
Grumio: Master and Madame, here’s…
Petruchio: Stupid man! What did I tell you to do? I didn’t tell you to take garbage for Madame!
Katherine: Hey! He didn’t do anything wrong! He just took the food for me. You’re such an
unreasonable person!
Petruchio: Sweetheart, I know you don’t like the food. It’s worse than dog food. Don’t
complain. I’ll let Grumio take it away. Did you hear what I say, Grumio?
Grumio: Yes, Master. I’ll take the food away right away. Take the food away.
Katherine: Anyway, I just want to eat dinner. I didn’t eat anything today. I’m so hungry that I
even can eat an elephant!
Petruchio: I see! You said you were so tired that you wanted to go to bed now! Don’t worry, honey.
I’ll take you to your room and let Grumio make bed for you. Grumio.......
Grumio quickly runs in
Grumio: Yes, Master.
Petruchio: Go and make bed for Madame.
Grumio: Yes, I’ll go make bed right away.
Grumio runs out
Petruchio: Honey, let me take you to our room.
Petruchio: You fool. Touch the bed and the quilt. Do you understand the words coming out from my
mouth? Look at the bed and the quilt, why are they so hard? Picks up the pillow. And
the pillow, it is just like a stone! Throw the pillow on the floor. Throw them away,
stupid man.
Grumio quickly takes the quilt and the pillow away. Katherine seems to want to say something, but
Petruchio interrupts her.
Petruchio: Oh darling, I’m so sorry that stupid Grumio didn’t make nice bed for you. See, the
floor is soft and comfortable. You can sleep on the floor. It’s so nice to sleep on the
floor, isn’t it? Poor me, have to sleep on the terrible bed. Anyway, have a good night
sleep. Good night.
Petruchio sleeps on the bed comfortablely.
Katherine: Hay, hay...... Trying to call Petruchio. I almost ate nothing today, I’m starving. And
I’m so tired. And I can’t even sleep on a chair! Sits down on the floor.
Narrator2: Katherine slept on the floor the whole night but she couldn’t sleep well.
Act6
Narrator 2, Petruchio, Grumio, Katherine, Servant1, and 2
Katherine is sitting on the floor in the living room. Petruchio brings some food in.
Petruchio: Good morning, dear. You must be very hungry. Here’s some breakfast for you. I made
it for you myself.
Katherine takes the food, and the time she begins to eat, Petruchio takes the food away from
Katherine.
Petruchio: Oh, I almost forgot. We should get ready for your sister and Lucentio’s wedding. We
just received an invitation from your father this morning. The wedding will be on
tomorrow, but we have to go back to help them today.
Katherine: You mean Bianca is getting married?
Petruchio: Yes, You need to dress up. I’ve already asked Grumio to buy the most modern dress for
you. Grumio......
Grumio: Yes, Master.
Petruchio: Bring the clothes in.
Grumio: Claps his hands twice.
Servant1, 2, brings the clothes in
Petruchio: You dumps, didn’t I tell you to buy the best ones and the most modern ones? Look at
what you bought! They’re so ugly and look cheap. Throw the clothes on the floor.
Both servant 1 and servant 2 pick up the clothes.
Servant 1: But Master, they are the most modern ones.
Servant 2: And they are the most expensive ones.
Petruchio: Are you blind? Can’t you see they are so ugly and they almost look like fake ones?
Now, throw them away or I’ll fire both of you.
Both servant 1 and servant 2 bring the clothes out.
Katherine: No, no, no. I think the clothes are nice. I like them.
Petruchio: Who is the Master, now? You don’t have rights to speak. I command you to wear the
old clothes which you’re wearing now.
Katherine: All right, all right. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. You don’t need speak that
loud! By the way, it’s late now. We’d better set out.
Petruchio: See, you are not respecting me. I’m so angry now! I’m not going back today, you
always air an opposing view. We’ll leave tomorrow.
Narrator2: Henceforth, Katherine never opposes Petruchio. And that’s the moment Katherine
begins to change.
Act7
Narrator 2, Katherine, Petruchio, Grumio, Old man
Narrator2: The next day, Petruchio and Katherine go to the wedding.
Katherine, Petruchio and Grumio are on the way to the wedding.
Grumio: Oh! Today is too hot! The sun is so bright that I even can’t see things clearly!
Petruchio: Looks at the sky and speaks loudly to Katherine. Darling, did you hear what Grumio said?
I think he’s right. The weather is terrible. The clouds are so dark and it looks like it’ll
rain soon.
Katherine: Speaks carefully. Excuse me, honey. Today is a fine day. Flowers and leaves are so
beautiful under the bright sun.
Petruchio: Huh? Do you mean I was wrong? I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I think we should go home
right now if you think I’m a stupid guy. Did you hear that, Grumio? She said that I
didn’t know whether the weather was fine or not! Petruchio wants to go home.
Katherine: Oh! Please don’t be mad, my dear! You’re right! Today’s weather is the worst one
I’ve ever seen! I was wrong. Please, please forgive me!
Petruchio: With an angry voice. You said today was a bad day? I don’t understand what you’re
talking about! Look at the sky. It’s blue and clear. The sun is so bright and it’s hot
now! How could you tell me a lie? I decide to go home now.
Katherine: Oh! No! I’m so sorry. Please forgive me! Hold Petruchio’s hands. You’re right. The
sun is so bright, so I can see the sky clearly. Sorry! Forgive me, please!
Petruchio: So, I’m right and you’re wrong, huh?
Katherine: Yes! Yes! My dear, you’re always right!
Petruchio: Look at the old man. Honey, do you see that beautiful lady? She’s coming!
Katherine: Doubt. A...what?
Petruchio: Huh?
Katherine: Look at the old man. Oh! Yes! What a beautiful lady! She is more beautiful than any rose
in the royal garden!
Petruchio: Then, just go to her and embrace this lovely lady.
Katherine: Yes, I’ll do that. Walk to the old man. Excuse me, lady. You’re so beautiful and
graceful. Your face is just like the lilies in the spring morning. Your lips are as sweet as
the sweetest honey in the world. And your steps are as light as the fairy’s dancing.
You’re such a wonderful lady that I want to embrace you. May I embrace you and
admire your beauty? Embrace the old man.
Old man: Oh! Oh! You want to embrace me? But I’m just an old man.
Petruchio: Katherine, what are you doing? Why are you hugging that old man? Stop it!
Katherine: Stop embracing the old man. I’m sorry, sir. Today’s sunshine is so great that
everything seems wonderful for me. I’m sorry for being rude to you. Please forgive me,
sir.
Old man: That’s Ok. You’re a very beautiful and funny lady. Laugh and leave.
Petruchio: Katherine my sweetheart, let’s go to your sister’s wedding. Father must be waiting for
us now.
Katherine: Yes, darling.
Act8
Narrator 2, Baptista, Baptista’s servant, Baptista’s wife, Katherine, Bianca, Petruchio, Grumio,
Lucentio, Tranio, Guest4, and Guest5
Narrator2: When the guests get to the wedding, Baptista goes out to welcome them.
Baptista, Petruchio, Bianca, Lucentio, Guest4, Guest5, and Guest6 are sitting together and talking.
Baptista’s servant, Tranio, and Grumio are standing in back of their masters.
Baptista’s servant : Master, our guests are all here.
Baptista stands up from his seat and starts to talk.
Baptista: I’m so glad all of you come for the wedding. I’m very happy to see both my daughters
are married.
Guest4: Congratulations Lucentio. You married a sweet lady.
Lucentio: Thank you. Bianca and I love each other very much, right, honey? Looks at Bianca.
Bianca: Of course my dear.
Guest5: But poor Petruchio married a shrew! Everyone laughs.
Guest4: Are you having a good time being with the shrew?
Petruchio: Of course I have a great time. Katherine has been a good wife.
Guest5: Are you sure?
Guest4: Hay, how about having a test. Let’s see whose wife is the most obedient of the three of us.
Petruchio: What a great idea!
Lucentio: Very interesting. Let’s start with you. Point at Guest4.
Guest4: Tranio, tell my wife to come for a while. I need to talk to her.
Tranio: Yes, sir.
Tranio runs out and then runs in.
Tranio: I’m sorry sir, but Madame says she is so busy that she can’t come.
Petruchio: Oh, your wife is so busy! Everyone laughs.
Guest5: I’m the next. Tranio, tell my wife to please come over.
Tranio: Yes, sir.
Tranio runs out and then runs in.
Tranio: I’m sorry sir, even if you had asked her to please 強調 plaea1se come over, she still
refused to come. She said she didn’t want to see you.
Everyone laughs
Petruchio: My turn. You’ll wait and see how obedient Katherine is. Tranio, ask my wife to move
her ass over here right away.
Guest4 and 5: Woo.......
Tranio: Yes, sir.
Tranio runs out and then walks in with Katherine.
Guest4 and 5: Wow.......
Baptista: I can’t believe what I see.
Baptista’s wife: Isn’t she our daughter, Katherine the shrew?
Katherine: May I help you?
Petruchio: Go and teach their wives some manners.
Katherine: Yes, honey.
Guest 4: Wow, how did you do it?
Guest 5: Yeah, what a big surprise!
Petruchio: Well, it’s a long story.
Narrator2: Katherine gives her speech on what she has learned from being tamed by Petruchio. And
Katharine once more becomes famous in Padua, not as Katharine the Shrew, but as
Katharine the most obedient and duteous wife in Padua.
The end