TAMING OF THE SHREW KEY QUESTIONS, CONSIDERATIONS
* INDUCTION
o What purpose is served by the argument between Sly and the hostess at the beginning of the play?
o Does Sly truly believe that he is a lord? So what?
* ACT 1
o What does Lucentio's opening speech reveal about his character?
o How does Tranio's advice foreshadow future events?
o What does Kate's first appearance on the scene immediately reveal about her?
o What is the relationship between Tranio and Lucentio?
o Why do Sly and company disappear from the play?
o How does Petruchio's stated purpose in coming to Padua differ from Lucentio's?
o Is the play sexist? [Provide textual evidence]
* ACT 2
o Why does Kate abuse Bianca?
o How does Petruchio's first meeting with Baptista set the style for the courtship?
o What kind of father does Baptista appear to be?
o What purpose is served by Hortensio/Licio's account of his music lesson with Kate?
o Does Petruchio's soliloquy reveal a concealed character? Explain.
o Why are puns used so frequently in Kate and Petruchio's encounter?
o Why is Petruchio's story about Kate's agreement to marry him so readily accepted?
o How does Tranio's decision to find a father reflect a theme of the play?
o Is the play sexist?
* ACT 3
o What do the love scenes between Bianca and Lucentio and Bianca & Hortensio reveal about Kate's younger sister?
o How does Kate and Petruchio's love scene contrast with Bianca's courtship?
o How does Petruchio's delay in appearing for the wedding affect Kate?
o What is the effect of Petruchio's shabby appearance?
o What purpose is served by Petruchio's rude behavior at the wedding?
o What is notable about Kate's reaction to Petruchio's announcement that they will leave before the wedding dinner?
o What is ironic about Kate's statement, "I see a woman may be made a fool / if she had not a spirit to resist..."?
o Is the play sexist?
* ACT 4
o What elements of farce are present in Grumio and Curtis' meeting?
o What evidence of change is apparent in Kate by Grumio's account and by her own behavior when she enters?
o How does Petruchio compare his treatment of Kate to the taming of a falcon?
o How does Bianca and Lucentio's exchange in scene 2 compare to their last meeting?
o Why is Hortensio's resolution to seek kindness in a woman and not beauty ironic?
o How does the recruitment of the pedant further the theme of deception?
o What new awareness on Kate's part is revealed by her conversation with Grumio?
o What does Kate's outburst at Petruchio over the cap and gown reveal?
o Is Petruchio's speech to Kate about the unimportance of clothing hypocritical?
o What do Petruchio's tests of Kate in scene 5 prove?
o Is this play sexist?
* ACT 5
o What does Vincentio's reaction to Lucentio's and Tranio's deception reveal about his character?
o How does Lucentio play on his assumed name (Cambio)?
o Is Petruchio's request for a kiss in scene 1 imply another test of Kate?
o What does Petruchio mean when he remarks Padua affords nothing but what is kind?
o How does Petruchio pursue an aim opposite to Lucentio's in the final scene?
o How is suspense built up about the bet?
o What is the essence of a wife's duty according to Kate?
o Is this play sexist?
* Post-Reading
o Why does Petruchio want to marry Kate?
o Why does Kate change from a shrew to an obedient wife? Does Kate really change?
o Why does Lucentio fall in love with Bianca?
o How does money motivate the characters and generate plot developments in the play?
o Is Kate's statement at the end of the play about a woman's duties sincere or ironic?
o Does Lucentio's initial impression of Bianca match with her real character?
o How does kindness serve as a false front in the play?
o What elements of farce inevitably distort reality?
o How is romantic love portrayed in the play?
o What seems the ideal marriage as presented in the play?
o Is Petruchio's taming of Kate really kind?
o How do the characterizations in the play suggest Elizabethan notions of human psychology?
o Is a work like this relevant today?
o Is the play universal?