1. Taming of the Shrew Who’s Who

2. “Willy Shakes”- aka William Shakespeare  Born in 1564.  Married at the age of 18 to Anne Hathaway- they had three children.  Moved to London in 1592.  Died at 53.

3. Will’s Language  He actually introduced an estimated 3,000 new words into the English language:  BedazzleCriticalHurry  SillinessObsceneLonely  EyeballAlligatorPuking

4. The Elizabethan Theater  It was considered a somewhat vulgar and rowdy place.  Theaters sometimes shut down because of the content of his plays.  The theaters were located on the outskirts of town; routinely shut down because of plague.

5. Audience  These audiences included people from all statuses: laboring people from the lower class, middle-class merchants, members of Parliament and lords and ladies.  Pickpockets mingled among the wild and noisy groundlings.  Nobles sat on cushioned seats in the first- tier balcony.  Plays were written for everyone: “from the most able, to him that can but spell.”

6. The Taming of the Shrew  Written in 1591  Written before Much Ado About Nothing  There are many similarities in the two plays, each highlighting a bold pair of protagonists who are witty and argumentative with each other.

7. The Players

8. Katherine  The title character  Oldest daughter of Baptista and sister to Bianca  Strong-willed, freely voices her opinions.  Abusive, angry and often violent  Thought to be the worst type of woman- not obedient and pleasant

9. Petruchio  Wealthy gentleman from Verona.  Loud, boisterous, eccentric and quick-witted.  Intends to marry rich and want a bride with a large dowry.  Intends to “tame” Kate’s wild temper.

10. Bianca  Youngest daughter of Baptista.  Opposite to her sister in every way.  Soft-spoken, sweet, beautiful and submissive.  Considered the perfect wife.

11. Lucentio  Young nobleman from Pisa who comes to Padua to study.  Falls in love at first sight with Bianca.  Disguises himself as a tutor to get close to her.

12. Baptista  Wealthy citizen of Padua.  Father to two daughters, Katherine and Bianca.  Will not allow Bianca to marry until Kate has done so.  Good-hearted and generous to his daughters.

13. Tranio  Servant to Lucentio.  Wily and comical.  Trades places with his master to help him get closer to Bianca and pretends to be Lucentio bargaining for Bianca’s hand.

14. Gremio and Hortensio  Two older gentlemen in Padua who want to marry Bianca.  Hortensio suggests that Petruchio marry Kate.  Both men are rivals for Bianca but are allied in their mutaul frustration at not having her.

15. Grumio  Petruchio’s servant.  Comic relief, he is the play’s fool.  Pretends to misunderstand Petruchio in order to cause ridiculous arguments.

16. A Shrew  Small, mouse-like mammal with a long snout; related to moles and known for their ugly tempers.  Also a term used for a woman with a bad temper (a Byotch).

17. Shrewd  Clever, always able to get your way through smarts.  Petruchio is shrewd in that he:  Knows what he wants (money and a happy household)  Knows how to and is willing to get it (he woos and wins Kate by mirroring the opposite of each of her behaviors.

18. Reasons Kate might be a shrew  Furious at a world that is unfair to women (might be a Shakespearean feminist).  Motherless; no one to guide her?  Jealous of Baptista’s overt love and kindness to Bianca (playing favorites).  Angry that no one likes her?

19. Keep them straight  Lucentio will pretend to be “Cambio” to get close to Bianca.  Tranio will pretend to be “Lucentio” to bargain for Bianca’s hand.  Gremio is the old dude who wants to marry Bianca.  Grumio is Petruchio’s bumbling servant.