--ACT 1, SCENE 1—

Trumpets play. LUCENTIO and his servant TRANIO enter.

LUCENTIO
Tranio, because I have always longed to see Padua and its famous university, I wanted to stop
here on my way to fertile Lombardy, that pleasant garden of great Italy. And now, thanks to my
father's love and approval, and your own good company-here I am. So, my trusty, dependable
servant, let's rest here a while and begin a course of intellectual studies.

TRANIO
Pardon me, my gentle master. I agree with everything you've said, and I'm glad that you've
followed through with your decision to enjoy all the pleasures of sweet philosophy.

LUCENTIO
Many thanks, Tranio, for the good advice. If Biondello would come ashore, we could get ready
at once and find a place to stay. Then we would have a place to entertain the friends we'll
make here in Padua.

TRANIO
Master, maybe it's a gathering to welcome us to town.

LUCENTIO and TRANIO stand off to one side.

BAPTISTA enters with his two daughters, KATHERINE and BIANCA, along with GREMIO
(pantaloon), and HORTENSIO (suitor).

BAPTISTA
Gentlemen, stop pestering me about this. You know that my mind is made up. I won't let my
younger daughter marry until I've found a husband for the elder one. I know and like both of
you, so if either of you loves Katherine, then you have my permission to court her as you
please.

GREMIO
To cart her, is more likely.

KATHERINE
[To BAPTISTA] Please, sir, is it your intention to make a laughingstock of me in front of these
mates?
HORTENSIO
"Mates," girl? What do you mean by that? You won't have any mates until you improve your
temper.

KATHERINE
Don't worry, sir, you don't need to worry about being my husband. Indeed, marriage doesn't
appeal to my heart. But even if it did, the only thing I'd want to do with you is knock you on the
head with a three-legged stool, scratch up your face, and make you my fool.

HORTENSIO
May God preserve us from all devils like her!

GREMIO
And me too, good Lord!

TRANIO
[So only LUCENTIO can hear] Keep quiet master, here's some entertainment for us. That girl is
either insane or incredibly disobedient.

LUCENTIO
[So only TRANIO can hear] But her sister is silent, and seems to have a proper girl's mildness
and obedience. Quiet, Tranio.

BAPTISTA
[To GREMIO and HORTENSIO] Gentlemen, I want to make good on what I've said-so Bianca, go
inside. And don't let this make you unhappy, good Bianca, for I'll never love you any less, my
girl.

KATHERINE
What a spoiled pet! If she knew what she was doing, she would have put on a show of
weeping.

BIANCA
Sister, let yourself be happy in my unhappiness. Sir, I will humbly obey your will. My books and
musical instruments will be my companions. I will read and practice by myself.
LUCENTIO
Listen, Tranio! It sounds like Minerva speaking

BAPTISTA
Gentleman, calm down. I've made my decision, and I can't be swayed.-Go inside, Bianca.
BIANCA exits.
And I know that she loves music, playing her instruments, and poetry, so I'll keep tutors in my
house to instruct her. So farewell.-Katherine, you may stay. I have more to talk about with
Bianca.
He exits.

KATHERINE
Well, I can go too, can't I? What, do I have to start making appointments now, as if I didn't
know when to come and go?
She exits.

HORTENSIO
Baptista’s eldest daughter must get a husband to set his youngest free for a husband.
GREMIO and HORTENSIO exit.

TRANIO
Please tell me, sir, is it possible that love could overpower a person so suddenly?

LUCENTIO
Oh Tranio, I never thought it possible or likely until it happened to me. Tranio: I'm on fire, I'm
burning, I'm filled with longing. Tranio-I'll die if I can't win this modest young girl for myself.
Advise me, Tranio, for I know you can. Help me, Tranio, for I know you will.

TRANIO
Master, now's not the time to scold you. Affection can't be driven out of the heart.

LUCENTIO
Oh yes, I saw the sweet beauty in her face, the daughter of Agenor

TRANIO
Is that all you saw? Didn't you notice how her sister began to scold and cause such a ruckus
that human ears could hardly endure the noise?
LUCENTIO
Tranio, I saw her coral-pink lips move, and her breath perfume the air. Everything I saw in her
was holy and sweet.

TRANIO
Wake up, sir! If you love this girl, then start using your wits to figure out how to win her. This is
how things stand right now: her older sister is such a bad- tempered shrew that her father
wants to get rid of her. He's keeping your beloved locked up at home until he does.

LUCENTIO
Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves, and let me be a slave, t’ achieve that maid
whose sudden sight hath thralled my wounded eye.

--ACT 1, SCENE 2—

PETRUCHIO enters with his servant GRUMIO.

PETRUCHIO
Farewell for now, Verona. I have come to see my friends in Padua, but especially my best and
most beloved friend Hortensio. And I believe this is his house. Here, Grumio. Knock, I say.

GRUMIO
Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Has any man rebused 1 your Worship?

PETRUCHIO
Villain, I say, knock for me here.

GRUMIO
Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, I don't think it's appropriate for me to knock you here, sir.

PETRUCHIO
Villain, I say, knock for me on this door, and pound it well, or I'll knock your fool's head!

GRUMIO
My master is getting angry. If I knock him first, then I know who's going to end up sorry for it.

HORTENSIO enters.
HORTENSIO
What's going on, what's the matter? Is this my old friend Grumio and my good friend
Petruchio? How are all your family in Verona?

PETRUCHIO
The wind that scatters young men throughout the world to seek their fortunes away from
home, where there are few new experiences to be had. But to be brief, Sir Hortensio, this is
how it stands: Antonio, my father, is dead, and I have now thrown myself into the wide world
to try and marry and thrive as best I can. I have money in my purse and property at home, so
I've set off to see the world.

HORTENSIO
Petruchio, should I speak plainly then and offer you a shrewish, unpleasant wife? I don't think
you'd thank me for my suggestion, but I promise you she's rich, yes, very rich. But you are my
friend, so I won't wish her on you.

PETRUCHIO
Wealth is the biggest factor for me-it doesn't matter if she's as ugly as Florentius' love, as old as
the Sybil, or as shrewish as Socrates' Xanthippe None of that would bother me, or make me
less keen to marry her, even if she were as rough as the Adriatic Sea. I've come to find a
wealthy wife in Padua, and if she's wealthy, then I'll have found a good wife.

HORTENSIO
Petruchio, since the conversation has gone this far already, I'll continue with what I meant only
as a joke. I can help you find a wife, Petruchio, who's rich, young, beautiful, and brought up as
a noble gentlewoman. Her only flaw, and it's certainly a big one, is that she is an unbearable
shrew, disagreeable and willful, and so much so that even if I was broke I wouldn't marry her
for a goldmine.

PETRUCHIO
Quiet, Hortensio. You don't know the power of money. Tell me her father's name, and that will
be enough. I will pursue her even if her scolding is as loud as thunder in an autumn storm.

HORTENSIO
Her father is Baptista Minola, an agreeable and polite gentleman. Her name is Katherina
Minola, famous in Padua for her scolding tongue.
PETRUCHIO
I don't know her, but I know her father, and he knew my father well when he was alive. I won't
sleep until I see her.

HORTENSIO
Wait, Petruchio. I must go with you, for my own treasure is in Baptista's keeping too. He has
my precious jewel hidden away in his fortress: his youngest daughter, the beautiful Bianca.
Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace and offer me disguised in sober robes,
to old Baptista as a schoolmaster

--END OF ACT 1--

 --ACT 2--
Katherine brings in Bianca hand tied with force-

BIANCA
Good sister, don't wrong both me and yourself by turning me into a slave. I won't stand for
that. But if it's my jewelry and clothes you want—untie my hands and I'll pull them off myself,
yes, everything down to my underwear. Or I'll do anything else you command me to do, for I
know that it is my duty is to obey my elders.

KATHERINE
I order you to tell me which of your suitors you like best. And make sure you don't lie.

BIANCA
Believe me, sister, out of all the men alive I've never yet seen that special face that I could love
more than any other.

KATHERINE
You're lying, you hussy. It's Hortensio, isn't it?

BIANCA
If you love him, sister, you can have him. I swear I'll even plead with him on your behalf

KATHERINE
Oh, then you probably prefer money. You'll choose Gremio who will keep you dressed up in
fine clothes and jewelry.

BIANCA
Are you really jealous of me because of him? You must be joking—and now I can see that
you've been joking with me this whole time. Please, sister Kate, untie my hands.
KATHERINE strikes her
KATHERINE
If you consider that a joke, then the rest was too.
Enter BAPTISTA
BAPTISTA
What's going on, woman? How dare you!—Bianca, step away from her.—The poor girl, she's
weeping!
[To BIANCA] Go do some sewing, and don't talk to her.
[To KATHERINE] For shame, you vicious creature, you devil! Why would you hurt her when
she's never done you any harm? When did she ever speak a single cruel word to you?
KATHERINE
Her silence mocks me, and I'll get my revenge on her.
She rushes at BIANCA
BAPTISTA
What, right in front of me?—Bianca, go inside.
BIANCA exits.
KATHERINE
What, you can't even stand my presence? Now I see that she is your treasure. She must have a
husband, while I must dance barefoot on her wedding day and lead apes in hell , all because
you love her most. Don't speak to me, I will go cry and wait until I can get my revenge.

BAPTISTA
Was there ever a man who suffered like I do? But who's this coming?

GREMIO enters with LUCENTIO, dressed as CAMBIO the poor schoolmaster. PETRUCHIO enters
with HORTENSIO, disguised as a musician (Litio). TRANIO, disguised as LUCENTIO

GREMIO
Good morning, neighbor Baptista.

BAPTISTA
Good morning, neighbor Gremio.-Hello and God bless you, gentlemen!

PETRUCHIO
And you, good sir. Please tell me, don't you have a daughter named Katherina, who is fair and
virtuous?

BAPTISTA
I do have a daughter named Katherina, sir.

GREMIO
[TO PETRUCHIO] You're being too blunt. Go about it with more ceremony.

PETRUCHIO
You do me wrong, Sir Gremio. Let me continue.-I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, who has heard
of your daughter's beauty and wit, her friendliness and bashful modesty, her wondrous talents
and mild behavior. I have now boldly come as a guest to your house to try and see for myself
all the things I've heard reported. And, to pay the price of my admission to your hospitality, I
here present you with a servant of mine.

(He presents HORTENSIO, disguised as LITIO)

He is skilled in music and mathematics, and can instruct your daughter in these fields of study-
in which I know she is no beginner. Accept him, or else risk offending me. His name is Litio,
from Mantua.

BAPTISTA
You're welcome here, sir, and he is too, for your sake. But as for my daughter Katherine, this
much I know: she won't meet your expectations-and that's a pity for me.

PETRUCHIO
I see that you don't intend to part with her, or else you don't like my company.

BAPTISTA
No, don't misunderstand me-I'm just stating the facts. Where are you from, sir? What name
should I call you?

PETRUCHIO
Petruchio is my name. My father was Antonio, a man well known throughout Italy.

BAPTISTA
He's well known to me. You are welcome for his sake.

GREMIO
I don't doubt it, sir, but you'll regret your wooing if it's successful.
[To BAPTISTA] Neighbor, this is a very gracious gift, I'm sure
[Presenting LUCENTIO, disguised as CAMBIO]
He has studied at the university in Rheims, and is as skilled in Greek, Latin, and other languages
as that man is in music and mathematics. His name is Cambio. Please accept his service.

BAPTISTA
A thousand thanks, Sir Gremio. Welcome, good Cambio.
[To TRANIO, disguised as LUCENTIO) But, gentle sir, you seem to be a foreigner. May I be so
bold as to ask about your reason for coming here?

TRANIO
[As LUCENTIO] Pardon me sir, for the boldness is all my own. I am a foreigner in this city, but I
have come to make myself a suitor to your daughter, the fair and virtuous Bianca. I'm also
aware of your firm decision that your eldest daughter must marry first. As for the education of
your daughters, I here contribute a simple instrument and this small pack of Greek and Latin
books.
[brings the gifts forward] If you accept them, then they are valuable indeed.

BAPTISTA
I see that your name is Lucentio.
A servant enters.
Boy, lead these gentlemen to my daughters, and tell them that these are their tutors, so make
sure to treat them well.
The servant exits with LUCENTIO and HORTENSIO (Cambio and Litio)
We'll go for a little walk in the garden, and then to dinner. Please, know that you are all very
welcome here and make yourselves at home.

PETRUCHIO
Sir Baptista, I'm in a bit of a hurry with this business, and I can't come wooing every day. You
knew my father well, and through him, me, So tell me, if I can win your daughter's love, what
dowry will I get when I marry her?

BAPTISTA
Twenty thousand crowns right away, and one half of my lands after my death.

PETRUCHIO
And on my side, if I die before she does, as her widow's inheritance she'll get all my lands and
the rent from my property.

BAPTISTA
Of course, once the most important thing has been obtained-her love, that is. That is
everything.

PETRUCHIO
I'll be well-armed against them, like a mountain in the wind. Even if it keeps blowing forever,
the mountain never shakes.
KATHERINE enters.
Hello, Kate for that's your name, I hear.

KATHERINE
You may have heard that, but you must be somewhat hard of hearing then. Those who talk
about me call me Katherine.

PETRUCHIO
You lie, I swear, for you are called Kate, plain Kate, and pretty Kate, and sometimes Kate the
shrew, but always. So, Kate, listen to me: having heard your modesty, virtue, and beauty
praised in every town, though not as highly as you deserve, I have been moved to court you for
my wife.

KATHERINE
"Moved," indeed. Then let whoever moved you here come and remove you. I could tell at once
that you were a moveable.

PETRUCHIO
Why, what do you mean by "moveable?"

KATHERINE
A stool.

PETRUCHIO
Exactly. Come sit on me.

KATHERINE
Asses are meant for bearing, and so are you.

PETRUCHIO
Women are meant for bearing, and so are you.

KATHERINE
Not for bearing the likes of you, if you're talking about me.

PETRUCHIO
Alas, good Kate, I would never burden you, for I know you're young and light 8. Keep on
buzzing, bee!

KATHERINE
Spoken like a true buzzard.

PETRUCHIO
Oh slow-winged turtledove, will you let a buzzard catch you?

KATHERINE
No, this turtledove will catch a buzzard.

PETRUCHIO
Come, come, my little wasp. Really, you're too angry.

KATHERINE
If I'm a wasp, then you'd better beware my stinger.

PETRUCHIO
I'll have to pluck it out.

KATHERINE
If a fool like you could find it.

PETRUCHIO
I swear I'll hit you if you strike me again.

KATHERINE
Then you'll lose your arms. If you strike me, then you're no gentleman, and if you're not a
gentleman, then you have no arms. What's your family crest? A coxcomb 12?

PETRUCHIO
I'd be a cock without a comb, if Kate will be my hen.

KATHERINE
Then you'd be no cock of mine. You won't fight.

PETRUCHIO
Come, Kate, come. Don't look so sour.

KATHERINE
Go, fool. Order your servants around-not me.

PETRUCHIO
Did the goddess Diana ever grace a forest like Kate now graces this room with her queenly
walk? Oh, you be Diana, then, and let Diana be Kate. Then let Kate be the chaste one, while
Diana is my love.

KATHERINE
Where did you memorize all this witty talk?

PETRUCHIO
It's off-the-cuff. It comes from my natural intelligence.

KATHERINE
What a witty mother! Too bad her son is witless.

BAPTISTA, GREMIO, and Tranio as Lucentio enter.

PETRUCHIO
Here comes your father. Don't refuse my proposal. I must and will have Katherine for my wife.

BAPTISTA
Now, Sir Petruchio, how's it going with my daughter?

PETRUCHIO
How but well, sir? How but well? It would be impossible to go any other way.

BAPTISTA
And how are you, daughter Katherine? Are you sad?

KATHERINE
You'd dare to call me daughter? I swear, you've certainly shown a father's tender care in trying
to marry me off to a lunatic, a crazed villain and a swearing fool, who thinks that he can force
his way through with enough cursing!

PETRUCHIO
Father, it's like this: you and everyone else who've talked about her have all been wrong. She
has the patience of Griselda and the chastity of Rome's Lucrece. To conclude, we've gotten
along so well together that Sunday will be our wedding day.

KATHERINE
I'll see you hanged on Sunday first!
GREMIO
Did you hear that, Petruchio? She says she'll see you hanged first.

TRANIO (mumbling)
Is this what you call success? So much for our hopes of freeing Bianca.

PETRUCHIO
Be patient, gentlemen. I choose her for myself. If she and I are happy, then what's it to you? I
tell you, it's incredible how much she loves me, though. Oh, the kindest Kate! Oh, you are all
just beginners! It's amazing to see-even a cowardly wretch can tame the fiercest shrew when a
man and a woman are left alone together. Give me your hand, Kate. I'll make sure my
Katherine will be beautifully dressed.

BAPTISTA
I don't know what to say. Give me your hands. May God give you joy, Petruchio. It's a match.

GREMIO AND TRANIO

We say Amen to that! We will be witnesses.

PETRUCHIO
Father, and wife, and gentlemen-farewell. I'm off to Venice. Sunday is coming soon. We will
have rings, and things, and fine clothes, and kiss me, Kate. We will be married on Sunday.

PETRUCHIO and KATE exit at different doors.

--END OF ACT 2--

 --ACT 3, SCENE 1—
LUCENTIO (disguised as CAMBIO), HORTENSIO (disguised as Litio) and BIANCA
LUCENTIO
[AS CAMBIO] Enough, fiddler! You grow too forward, sir. Have you already forgotten how her
sister Katherina thanked you for your insistence?

HORTENSIO
[As LITIO] But this is not Katherine, that quarrelsome know- it-all-this is the goddess of
heavenly harmony. So let me go first, and after we've spent an hour on music, you can have the
same amount of time for your lesson.

BIANCA
Why, gentlemen, you both do me wrong in arguing over something that is really my decision. I
am no schoolboy to be whipped and disciplined. I won't be ordered about with hours and
appointed schedules-I will learn my lessons as it pleases me. So to cut off all this arguing, let's
sit down and figure this out.
[TO HORTENSIO] You take your instrument and play awhile. His lesson will be done before
you've even tuned it.

HORTENSIO
[As LITIO] And you'll stop his lesson once I am in tune?

BIANCA
I must believe you because you're my teacher, or else, I promise you, I would keep arguing. But
let it go.-Now, Litio, it's your turn. Good teacher, I hope you're not offended that I've been
equally friendly to both of you.

LUCENTIO
[As CAMBIO] Are you so strict, sir? Well, I guess I have to wait then.
[To himself] And watch, too, for unless I'm mistaken, our fancy musician grows romantic.

--ACT 3, SCENE 2--

BAPTISTA, GREMIO, TRANIO (disguised as LUCENTIO), KATHERINE, BIANCA, LUCENTIO, and

attendants enter.
BAPTISTA
[TO TRANIO] Sir Lucentio, this is the day appointed for Katherine and Petruchio to be married,
but I haven't heard from my son-in-law at all. What will people say? What a mockery it will be
to have the priest here, ready to perform the marriage ceremony, and be missing the
bridegroom! What does Lucentio have to say about our shame?

KATHERINE
The shame is all mine. I was forced to oppose my own heart and give my hand to that boorish,
fickle madman, who wooed in a hurry and means to marry at his leisure. I told you he was a
crazy fool.

TRANIO
[As LUCENTIO] Be patient, good Katherine, and you too, Baptista. I swear Petruchio means
well, despite whatever might be keeping him from honoring his word. Though he's rude, I
know he's exceedingly wise, and though he's a joker, he's still an honest man.

KATHERINE
I wish that I had never seen him, though!
She exits weeping

BAPTISTA
Go, girl. I can't blame you for weeping now. Such an insult would offend even a saint, let alone
an impatient shrew like you.
PETRUCHIO and GRUMIO enter.

PETRUCHIO
Come now, where are all the gentlemen? Is anyone at home?

BAPTISTA
You are welcome, sir.

PETRUCHIO
And yet I didn't come well.

BAPTISTA
And yet you aren't limping.
TRANIO
[As LUCENTIO] And you're not as well-dressed as I wish you would be.

PETRUCHIO
Even if my clothes were better I would still rush in like this-But where is Kate? Where is my
love? How is my father-in-law? Gentlemen, you seem to be frowning. Why is this fine gathering
of people all staring, as if at something strange-a comet or some unnatural phenomenon?

BAPTISTA
Why, sir, you know this is your wedding day. First we were sad because we feared you wouldn't
come, but now we're sadder to see that you've come so unprepared. For God's sake, take off
this costume. It's a disgrace to your social rank and an eyesore in the middle of our solemn
ceremony.

PETRUCHIO
It would be a tedious story to tell, and a rough one to hear. Suffice it to say that I've come to
keep my promise, though I'll have to deviate from it some. I'll explain all this to your
satisfaction later, when there's more time. But where is Kate? I've been away from her for too
long.
Petruchio exits, with Grumio.
After Bianca has secretly married Lucentio, Petruchio, Katherine, and Lucentio’s father arrive at
Lucentio’s lodging. They are rebuffed by the Merchant impersonating Vincentio. Vincentio
denounces as frauds the Merchant and then Tranio, who turns up still disguised as Lucentio. As
Vincentio is about to be carried off to jail by an officer, the true Lucentio arrives with his bride,
successfully begs his father’s pardon for the secret marriage, and explains the disguises.

BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, BIANCA and GREMIO (stands at side) enter.

BIONDELLO
Quietly and quickly, sir. The priest is ready.

LUCENTIO
I'm hurrying, Biondello. But they might need you at home.
LUCENTIO and BIANCA exit.

BIONDELLO
No, I'll see you safely to the church, and then I'll hurry back to my master's.

He exits.
GREMIO
I'm surprised Cambio hasn't come by all this time.

PETRUCHIO, KATHERINE, VINCENTIO, and GRUMIO enter.

PETRUCHIO
Sir, here's the door. This is Lucentio's house. My father-in- law's house lies closer to the
marketplace. That's where I'm off to, and here I leave you, sir.

VINCENTIO
You must have a drink before you go. I think I can welcome you on my son's behalf, and it's
likely that some entertainment is being prepared anyway.

He knocks.

GREMIO
They're busy inside. You'd better knock louder.

The MERCHANT looks out the window.

MERCHANT
[As VINCENTIO] Who's that trying to break down the door?

VINCENTIO
Is Sir Lucentio inside, sir?

MERCHANT
[AS VINCENTIO] He's inside, sir, but he can't be bothered right now.

VINCENTIO
What if a man were to bring him a couple hundred pounds to have fun with?\

MERCHANT
[As VINCENTIO] Keep your hundred pounds to yourself. He won't need anything as long as I'm
alive.

PETRUCHIO
[As VINCENTIO] See, I told you your son was well-loved in Padua.-
[To the MERCHANT] Do you hear me, sir? Jokes aside, please tell Sir Lucentio that his father has
come from Pisa and is here at the door to speak with him.

MERCHANT
[As VINCENTIO] You are lying. His father has already come to Padua, and here he is looking out
the window.

VINCENTIO
Are you his father?

MERCHANT
[As VINCENTIO] Yes, sir, or so his mother tells me, if I can believe her.

PETRUCHIO
[TO VINCENTIO] Why, what's going on? This is downright criminal, to take on another man's
name!

MERCHANT
[AS VINCENTIO] Arrest the villain. I believe he means to cheat someone in this city while
pretending to be me.

BIONDELLO enters.

BIONDELLO
[To himself] Now I've seen them go into the church together. May God give them a good
marriage! But who's this here? My old master Vincentio! Now everything's ruined! It was all
for nothing.

VINCENTIO
[To BIONDELLO] Come here, you villain.

BIONDELLO
I don't have to obey you, sir.

VINCENTIO
Come here, you rogue! What, have you forgotten me?
BIONDELLO
Forgotten you! No, sir. I could not forget you, for I've never seen you before in my life.

VINCENTIO
What, you foul villain, did you never see your master's father, Vincentio?

BIONDELLO
What, my respectable old master? Yes, of course, sir. There he is, looking out the window.

VINCENTIO
Is that so.

He beats BIONDELLO.

BIONDELLO
Help, help, help! There's a madman trying to murder me!
He exits.

MERCHANT
[AS VINCENTIO] Help, son! Help, Sir Baptista!

He exits

PETRUCHIO
Come on, Kate, let's stand aside and see how all this chaos turns out.
They draw back.
The MERCHANT enters below, with TRANIO (as LUCENTIO), BAPTISTA, and servants.

TRANIO
[As LUCENTIO] Sir, who are you that you would presume to beat my servant?

VINCENTIO
Who am I, sir! No, who are you, sir? By the immortal gods! Oh, you complete villain! A silken
jacket, velvet hose, a scarlet cloak, and a tall hat! Oh, I'm ruined, I'm ruined! While I played the
thrifty father at home, my son and my servant have spent all my money at university.

TRANIO
[As LUCENTIO] What's going on, what's the matter?
BAPTISTA
What, is the man a lunatic?

TRANIO
[As LUCENTIO] Sir, from your clothes you seem to be a wise, respectable old gentleman, but
your words show you to be a madman. Why, sir, what is it to you if I should wear pearls and
gold? Thanks to my good father, I can afford it.

VINCENTIO
Your father! Oh you villain! Your father is a sailmaker in Bergamo.

BAPTISTA
You're mistaken, sir, you're mistaken. Please tell me, what do you think his name is?

VINCENTIO
His name! As if I didn't know his name! I raised him ever since he was three years old, and his
name is Tranio.

MERCHANT
[As VINCENTIO] Away with you, mad fool! His name is Lucentio, my only son, and heir to all the
lands owned by me, Vincentio.

VINCENTIO
Lucentio! Oh, he's murdered his master! Arrest him, I charge you in the Duke's name. Oh my
son, my son! Tell me, you villain, where is my son Lucentio?

TRANIO
[As LUCENTIO] Call an officer.
An Officer enters.
Take this mad fool to jail.-Father Baptista, make sure that he's ready to appear in court when
he's called.

VINCENTIO
Take me to jail?

GREMIO
Wait, officer. He won't go to prison.
BAPTISTA
Be quiet, Sir Gremio. I say he will go to prison.

GREMIO
Be careful, Sir Baptista, or else you'll be tricked by this business. I would dare to swear that this
is the real Vincentio.

MERCHANT
[As VINCENTIO] Swear, if you dare.

GREMIO
No, I won't really dare to swear it.

TRANIO
[As LUCENTIO] Then you'd better say that I'm not really Lucentio.

GREMIO
No, I know you're Sir Lucentio.

BAPTISTA
Away with this old fool! Take him to jail!

VINCENTIO
This is how strangers are mistreated and abused!-Oh you monstrous villain!
BIONDELLO enters with LUCENTIO and BIANCA.

BIONDELLO
Oh! There he is, and we're ruined! Deny him, swear that you don't know him, or else we're
completely undone.

BIONDELLO, TRANIO, and the MERCHANT exit as fast as they can.

LUCENTIO and BIANCA kneel.

LUCENTIO
Forgive me, sweet father.

VINCENTIO
Is my sweet son alive?
BIANCA
Forgive me, dear father.

BAPTISTA
Why, what have you done wrong? Where is Lucentio?

LUCENTIO
Here is Lucentio, the real son of the real Vincentio. I've made your daughter mine by marriage
while you were tricked by false appearances.

GREMIO
A conspiracy, a total conspiracy, that deceived us all!

VINCENTIO
Where is that damned villain Tranio, who bullied and defied me about this?

BAPTISTA
Why, tell me though, isn't this my daughter's tutor Cambio?

BIANCA
Cambio has become Lucentio.

LUCENTIO
Love performed these miracles. Bianca's love made me trade my identity with Tranio, while he
pretended to be me in town. And now at last I've arrived happily at the blissful conclusion of
my endeavors. Whatever Tranio did, I commanded him to do. So pardon him, sweet father, for
my sake.

VINCENTIO
No, I'll slit the nose of that villain who tried to send me to jail.

BAPTISTA
But is this true, sir, that you've married my daughter without asking for my permission?

VINCENTIO
Don't worry, Baptista, we will satisfy you. You'll see. But I will go inside and get some revenge
for this villainy.
He exits.
BAPTISTA
And I will too, to see how deep this villainy goes.
He exits.

LUCENTIO
Don't look so pale, Bianca. Your father won't be angry with you.
LUCENTIO and BIANCA exit.

GREMIO
My cake is dough, but I'll go in with the rest. The only thing I can hope for now is a share of the
feast.
He exits.

KATHERINE
Husband, let's follow them and see how all this turns out.

PETRUCHIO
What, are you ashamed of me?

KATHERINE
No sir, God forbid

PETRUCHIO
Isn't this nice? Come, my sweet Kate. Better late than never, for never's too late.
They exit.
--END OF ACT 3--
 --ACT 4--
Three couples attend the wedding banquet—Lucentio and Bianca, Petruchio and Katherine, and
Hortensio and the Widow. Petruchio is repeatedly teased about being married to a shrew. In
retaliation Petruchio wagers with Lucentio and Hortensio that if they all summon their wives to
them, his Katherine will be the most obedient in responding. When Bianca and the Widow
refuse to come at all and Katherine promptly appears, Petruchio wins, and then he sends
Katherine to bring the other wives to their husbands. When they return, Petruchio tells
Katherine to instruct the other wives in their wifely duty. Katherine delivers a long speech in
praise of women’s submission to their husbands. Petruchio kisses Katherine, and they go off to
bed.
Enter Baptista, Vincentio, Gremio, the Merchant Lucentio, and Bianca; Hortensio and the
Widow, Petruchio and Katherine; Tranio, Biondello, and Grumio, with Serving men bringing in a
banquet.
LUCENTIO
It's taken a long time, but at last we've all been reconciled. Now that the raging war is over, it's
time to smile at our past dangers and adventures. My fair Bianca, welcome my father, while I
with equal kindness welcome yours. Brother Petruchio, Sister Katherina, and you, Hortensio,
with your loving widow, feast with the best of them, and welcome to my house. This dessert is
to close up our stomachs-and any hard feelings-after our great feast. Please, sit down, for now
we sit to chat as well as to eat.

PETRUCHIO
Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat!

BAPTISTA
Padua can afford this pleasant lifestyle, my son Petruchio.

PETRUCHIO
Padua contains nothing that isn't pleasant.

HORTENSIO
For both our sakes, I hope that's true.

PETRUCHIO
Now, I swear! Hortensio fears his widow.

WIDOW
Don't worry, I'm not afraid of him.
PETRUCHIO
You are very sensible, but you mistook my meaning: I meant that Hortensio is afraid of you.

WIDOW
He who is dizzy thinks the world spins round.

PETRUCHIO
Well said.

KATHERINE
Mistress, what do you mean by that?

WIDOW
That's what I conceive of Petruchio.

PETRUCHIO
She conceives by me? And what does Hortensio think of that?

HORTENSIO
My widow means that that's how she understands you.

PETRUCHIO
Good job fixing that. Kiss him for that, good widow.

KATHERINE
"He who is dizzy thinks the world spins round"-Please, tell me what you meant by that.

WIDOW
Your husband, who has to live with a shrew, projects his own troubles onto my husband. And
now you know my meaning.

KATHERINE
A very mean meaning.

WIDOW
Right, because I mean you.

KATHERINE
And I demean myself by paying you any attention.
PETRUCHIO
Get her, Kate!

HORTENSIO
Get her, widow!

PETRUCHIO
I'll bet you a hundred marks, my Kate will have her on her back.

HORTENSIO
That's my job.

PETRUCHIO
Spoken like a good worker! Here's to you, boy!
He drinks to HORTENSIO.

BAPTISTA
How does Gremio like these quick-witted folks?

GREMIO
Believe me, sir, they butt heads well.

BIANCA
Head and butt! A clever person would say your butting head had horns

VINCENTIO
Ah, mistress bride, have we woken you up?

BIANCA
Yes, but it hasn't frightened me. So I'll go back to sleep.

PETRUCHIO
No, you certainly won't. Now that you've gotten started, be ready for a sharp joke or two!

BIANCA
Am I the bird you're shooting at now? I'll fly to a different tree, so you must follow me with
your bow. You are all welcome here. Ladies, let me lead you out.
BIANCA, KATHERINE, and the WIDOW exit.
PETRUCHIO
Well, she's escaped me. Sir Tranio, you also aimed at that bird, though you didn't hit her. So
here's a toast to all who have shot and missed.

TRANIO
Oh, sir, Lucentio just let me off his leash like a greyhound. I did the running, but the catch was
for my master.

PETRUCHIO
A good and fast answer, but also one for the dogs.

TRANIO
It's good, sir, that you hunted for yourself. There's a rumor that your deer 5 has faced you
down and cornered you.

BAPTISTA
Oh, oh, Petruchio! Now Tranio hits you with a good one.

LUCENTIO
I thank you for that taunt, good Tranio.

HORTENSIO
Admit it, admit, didn't that one hit close to home?

PETRUCHIO
He has wounded me a little, I confess. But since the taunt grazed me and kept flying, it's ten to
one that it hit you two straight on.

BAPTISTA
In all seriousness though, my son Petruchio, I think you have the biggest shrew of all.

PETRUCHIO
Well, I have to disagree. But let's have some proof. Each one of us should send for his wife, and
whoever's wife is most obedient, and comes immediately when he sends for her, that man will
win the bet we make.

HORTENSIO
Sounds good. What's the bet?
LUCENTIO
Twenty crowns.

PETRUCHIO
Twenty crowns? I'd bet that much on my hawk or my hound, but I'd bet twenty times that on
my wife.

LUCENTIO
A hundred then.

HORTENSIO
Agreed.

PETRUCHIO
It's a bet! Let's do it.

HORTENSIO
Who should begin?

LUCENTIO
I will. Go, Biondello, and tell your mistress to come to me.

BIONDELLO
I go.
He exits.

BAPTISTA
Son, I'll take half your bet that Bianca comes.

LUCENTIO
I don't want any halves. I'll bear it all myself.
BIONDELLO enters.
Well, what's the news?

BIONDELLO
Sir, my mistress says to tell you that she's busy, and she cannot come.

PETRUCHIO
What! "She's busy, and she cannot come!" Is that her answer?
GREMIO
Yes, and a kind one at that. Pray to God, sir, that your wife doesn't send you a worse one.

PETRUCHIO
I expect something better.

HORTENSIO
Biondello, boy, go and ask my wife to come to me right away.
BIONDELLO exits.

PETRUCHIO
Oh ho, ask her! Well, then she has to come.

HORTENSIO
I'm afraid that no matter what you do, sir, your wife won't let herself be asked for anything.
BIONDELLO enters.
Now, where's my wife?

BIONDELLO
She says you must be playing some kind of joke. She will not come. She tells you to come to
her.

PETRUCHIO
Worse and worse. She will not come! Oh, it's vile, intolerable, not to be endured!-Grumio, go
to your mistress. Say that I command her to come to me.
GRUMIO exits.

HORTENSIO
I know what her answer will be.

PETRUCHIO
What?

HORTENSIO
She will not.

PETRUCHIO
That'll be the worse for me, and an end to the matter.
 KATHERINE enters.

BAPTISTA
Now, by all that's holy, here comes Katherina!

KATHERINE
What is your will, sir, that you sent for me?

PETRUCHIO
Where are your sister and Hortensio's wife?

KATHERINE
They sit talking by the fire in the parlor.

PETRUCHIO
Go bring them here. If they refuse to come, give them a beating on my behalf to get them out
here to their husbands. Go on, I say, and bring them here right away.
KATHERINE exits.

LUCENTIO
Here is a miracle, if we're speaking of miracles.

HORTENSIO
So it is. I wonder what it means.

PETRUCHIO
Well, it means peace, and love, and a quiet life, and authority commanding respect, and
proper hierarchy, and, in brief, everything sweet and happy.

BAPTISTA
Well, may you have good fortune, good Petruchio! You've won the bet, and I'll add twenty
thousand crowns to these two men's losses. It will be a new dowry for a new daughter, for
indeed she is so changed that she's like a whole new woman.

PETRUCHIO
Wait, I'll win the bet even more completely, and show more signs of her obedience, her newly-
created virtue and obedience.
KATHERINE enters with BIANCA and the WIDOW.
See, here she comes, bringing your willful wives with her as prisoners of her womanly duty.
Katherine, that cap of yours doesn't look good. Take off the silly thing and stomp on it.

WIDOW
Lord, don't let me ever be brought to such a silly state of affairs where someone could treat me
like that!

BIANCA
For shame! What kind of foolish "obedience" do you call this?

LUCENTIO
I wish your obedience was just as foolish. The wisdom of your obedience, fair Bianca, has cost
me a hundred crowns since dinnertime.

BIANCA
Then you're the bigger fool for betting money on my obedience.

PETRUCHIO
Katherine, I want you to tell these headstrong women what kind of obedience they owe to
their lords and husbands.

WIDOW
Come on, you're joking. She won't tell us anything.

PETRUCHIO
Do it, I say, and begin with her.

WIDOW
She won't.

PETRUCHIO
I say she will.-And first begin with her.

KATHERINE
For shame, for shame! Don't furrow your brow and glare so scornfully to try to wound the man
who is your lord, your king, and your governor. It tarnishes your beauty like frost blights the
meadows, and ruins your reputation like a strong wind shaking a flower bud. In no sense
whatsoever is it appropriate or pleasant. An angry woman is like a stirred- up fountain-muddy,
ugly, thick, lacking beauty-and while it's in this condition, no one, not even a dry or thirsty
man, will stoop to sip or touch one drop of it. Your husband is your lord, your life, your keeper,
your head, your ruler, and one who cares for you. To keep you safe and comfortable he
commits his body to painful labor on both sea and land, to staying awake on stormy nights and
cold days at sea, while you stay at home, warm and secure. And in exchange all he asks for is
love, beauty, and true obedience too little payment for so great a debt. A woman owes her
husband the same obedience that a subject owes to his prince. And when she is stubborn,
peevish, sullen, sour, and not obedient to his honest will, then what is she but a foul, vicious
rebel, and a cursed traitor to her loving lord? I am
ashamed that women are so foolish as to declare war when
they should kneel and plead for peace. I'm ashamed that
they should seek rulership, supremacy, and power when
they are obligated to serve, love and obey. Why else are our
bodies so soft and weak and smooth, unfit for labor and
trouble in the world, if not so that our soft qualities and our
hearts should agree with our extemal parts? Come, come,
you weak, willful worms! My mind was once just as arrogant as yours, my courage just as great,
and my wit perhaps even better when it came to tossing words back and forth and exchanging
frowns for frowns. But now I see that our swords are only straws, our strength is just as weak,
and our weakness is beyond compare, so that we seem to be exactly the thing we are not. So
humble your pride, for it's useless. Place your hands beneath your husband's boot as a gesture
of obedience. My hand is always ready to comfort and pleasure my husband, if he wants me
to.

PETRUCHIO
Why, there's a good girl!

LUCENTIO
Well, what do you know, old boy, you've done it.

VINCENTIO
It's good to hear children being obedient.

LUCENTIO
But it's unpleasant to hear women being willful.

PETRUCHIO
Come, Kate, we'll go to bed. We three are all married, but you two are done for your wives are
too disobedient. [To LUCENTIO] I won the wager, but you hit the white 6 And as the winner,
now bid you good night!
 PETRUCHIO and KATHERINE exit.

HORTENSIO
Well, go on. You've tamed a terrible shrew.

LUCENTIO
And it's a miracle, if I may say so, that she could be tamed like that.

--THE END--