1. The Taming of the Shrew
Shakespeare

2. During this unit, you will:
Learn about Elizabethan England, Shakespeare, & Shakespeare’s Language
Read approx. 1 Act per week (5 acts total)
Take a quotes-based quiz after each Act.
Complete a study guide for each act.

3. Introduction to the Author & Era
Who was Shakespeare?
Why do we care about Shakespeare?
Why is Shakespeare’s language so different?
Shakespeare
Introduction to the Author & Era

4. Why Study Shakespeare?
Shakespeare has a lasting influence for several reasons, including:
The huge and lasting influence he had on the English language.
According to The Royal Shakespeare Company, “The early modern English language was less than 100 years old in 1590 when Shakespeare was writing. No dictionaries had yet been written and most documents were still written in Latin. He contributed over 3,000 words to the English language because he was the first author to write them down. Of this number more than one tenth or 1,700 were used for the first time.”
4 Reasons to Study Shakespeare

5. Why Study Shakespeare? We study Shakespeare because:
His writings illuminate and articulate the timeless and universal human experience.
Relatable writings that help us express how we feel in a given circumstance or moment.
His storytelling ability is unmatched - he has written “immortal” classics in every major genre.
Stories that transcend time and culture
He created complex, compelling characters.
He had an immeasurable impact on the English language.
And, as I like to say Because if you can read Shakespeare, you can read anything!

6. Who was Shakespeare?

7. Before theaters were built, actors toured the country
Before theaters were built, actors toured the country. Women were not allowed to act.
The theaters would fly a flag if a play would be performed that day. Plays were always performed in daylight.
Nobility sat in the balcony, and the Middle-class sat in the stands.
The poor stood on the ground. They were called groundlings. If they didn’t like the play they would throw rotten food.
Elizabethan Theater

8. Elizabethan Era Culture
Period in England associated with the rule of Queen Elizabeth. Relatively peaceful time; considered the “Golden Age.”
Chain of Being - there is a hierarchy and order to your place in the world.
Monarch.
Nobles
Churchmen
Gentlemen
Commoners
Women

9. Elizabethan Era Values - Weddings
Arranged Marriages - women did not have any input about who they would wed.
Usually arranged by parents (fathers) with financial or political gain, not love, in mind.
wealth, land, class, and status.
Often couples met for the first time on their wedding day.

10. Elizabethan Era Values - Weddings & Marriage
Women were considered second class citizens, and women who did not marry (“spinsters”) had to be supported by their families and were considered a burden.
A wife was considered the property of the husband.
A dowry was paid to the husband from the family of the bride - this was the money, property, or goods that the wife would bring into the marriage (which then became owned by the husband).
With parent permission, children could marry at these ages:
Boys = years old Girls = 12 - always needed permission

11. Things you’ll need to know . . .
Shakespeare’s Language
Iambic Pentameter, verse, & prose
Old English
Drama Basics & Terminology
Reading Shakespeare
Things you’ll need to know . . .

12. Shakespeare’s Language
Old English - At the time Shakespeare was writing, the english language was constantly in flux, meaning that words, meaning, and spellings were not standardized.
Shakespeare wrote in both prose, and a type of verse called Iambic Pentameter.

13. Shakespeare’s Language

14. Shakespeare’s Language
Iambic pentameter is a verse rhythm often used in Shakespeare’s writing
It has 10 syllables per line
Syllables alternate between unstressed and stressed beats, creating this pattern: “de/DUM de/DUM de/DUM de/DUM de/DUM”
Shakespeare played around with this structure to create different effects (for example, he changed the stress pattern & added syllables)
Generally speaking, high class characters speak in iambic pentameter; lower class characters speak in prose

15. Drama Terminology & Lit Devices

16. Shakespeare’s Language: Iambic Pentameter & Verse
Take notes on the viewing guide during and after watching the Tedtalk.

17. Shakespeare’s Language
Battles of Wits: Insults by Shakespeare
How do insults add to mood, atmosphere, and character?

18. Drama Terminology & Lit Devices
Dramatic Conventions: techniques that give the audience information that could not be inferred from the action of the play.
Aside: a remark or passage by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play.
Concealment: allows a character to be seen by the audience but unseen by other characters.
Soliloquy: a long, usually serious speech that a character in a play makes to an audience and that reveals the character's thoughts

19. Drama Terminology & Lit Devices
Verse: writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme
Blank verse: unrhymed, the basis for iambic pentameter.
Couplet: a pair of rhyming verse lines.
Final rhyming couplet: used quite purposefully to finish off a scene, or part of a scene or a soliloquy.
Tercet / triplet: A unit of three verse lines, usually rhyming with either with each other or with neighbouring lines.
Quatrain: a four line stanza

20. Drama Terminology & Lit Devices
Stock Character: character types that occur repeatedly in a particular literary genre
Oxymoron: two incongruous or clashing words brought together to make a striking expression.
Parting is such sweet sorrow. (Romeo and Juliet )
O brawling love, O loving hate,(Romeo and Juliet )
Pun: use of words, usually humorous & based on several meanings of one word
Malapropism: inappropriate, muddled or mistaken use of words.

21. The Taming of the Shrew: A comedy

24. An old ballad about a shrewish woman.

27. Shakespeare relied on physical comedy much like the three stooges did in their movies.

28. Lots of physical contact between two main characters

30. The Induction
Induction activity + trailer for Taming of the Shrew

31. Taming of the Shrew Act 1 Activities: Guided Reading
Mini-lessons - characterization, conflict & language
Study guide for Act 1: including character map & characterization organizer.
Taming of the Shrew
Act 1

38. They are two gentlemen of Padua.
Gremio and Hortensio are Bianca’s suitors at the beginning of the play.
Though they are rivals, these older men also become
friends during their mutual frustration with and rejection
by Bianca.

40. MINOR Characters
Tranio- Lucentio’s servant; disguises himself as Lucentio
Biondello- Lucentio’s other servant
Vincentio- Lucentio’s father from Pisa

41. Setting & Act 1.1 Viewing
The remainder of the play (after the induction) is set in Padua, Italy. The play within-the-play opens with a chaotic street scene:

42. Reading the play: Act 1.1
Author’s purpose: introducing and characterizing the main characters while establishing the basis for the main conflict.
What first impression do you have of Katherine?
What first impression do you have of Bianca?
Who are Hortensio and Gremio, and what does Baptista tell them?
Who is Lucentio, and what plan do he and his servant, Tranio, come up with?
Who is disguised as who by the end of this scene?

43. Major Conflicts & Subplots
The Bianca Problem: Both Lucentio and Hortensio are disguised as tutors, trying to woo Bianca. Meanwhile, poor old Gremio thinks he still has a chance.
The Kat Problem: Petruchio is being encouraged (by Bianca’s suitors) to wed Katherine, the shrew. No one is allowed to marry Bianca until Kat is “off the market.”
The Disguises:
Lucentio = the latin tutor named “Cambio”
Tranio, Lucentio’s servant, is pretending to be him at university so he doesn’t get caught skipping classes.
Hortensio = the music tutor, named “Litio”

44. Act 1 & 2 Assessment - Friday
Complete all study guide questions & characterization organizers
Review dramatic conventions & terminology - including iambic pentameter
Be familiar with all characters, including their assumed personas.
Quiz: quote identification, dramatic terms & vocab, character comprehension.
Be prepared to settle on a final project choice on Friday!

45. Reading the play: Act 1.2
In small groups (2-4) read Act 1.2 (Assign roles!) and answer the following questions on a sheet of notebook paper (due by end of class).
Who is Petruchio? What is our first impression of him?
When Petruchio says “knock” and “use your fists”: What does Petruchio mean? What does Grumio think he meant?
Why is Petruchio in Padua? What is the one thing he wants in a wife?
What does Petruchio’s monologue on reveal about him? Quote details.
How does the men’s discussion help us understand how women were viewed?
Which characters are misrepresenting themselves by the end of this scene?

46. Taming of the Shrew Act 2 Activities: Guided Reading
Mini-lessons - major themes, motifs & symbols
Study guide for Act 2: including character map & characterization organizer.
Taming of the Shrew
Act 2

47. Major Themes (Prior to reading Act 2)
Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.
Themes in this play (some, not all!)
Marriage as an economic institution
Social dimensions of love
Social Roles & their effect on happiness.
Deception & misrepresentation.

48. Act 2.1
What impression do we get of Bianca and Katherine’s relationship?
How does the play use physical comedy?
How does the play use verbal wit for comedic purposes?
How does Katherine respond to Petruchio?
What is unique about the way Kat and Petruchio interact?
What do you think Shakespeare’s purpose for Kat and Petruchio relying on puns is?

49. Taming of the Shrew Act 3 Activities: Guided Reading
Mini-lessons - motifs & symbols
Study guide for Act 3: including character motivations & literary terms organizer.
Taming of the Shrew
Act 3

52. MOTIFS
Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.

57. Two Interpretations (Author’s Purpose)
Who actually “wins” in the end? Is Kat really “tamed”?

58. Act 3.1: Bianca, Lucentio, and Hortensio
Author’s Purpose: This scene contrasts the way Petruchio and Katherine interact with how Bianca and her suitors treat one another.
Characters that are the opposite, or contrasts, of one another are called FOILS.
In what way are foils used in the play so far? Think about relationship dynamics as well as character types.
Given that Bianca behaves in an “ideal” manner, what can we infer from her actions about her social role in Elizabethan England?
*Remember, Lucentio = Cambio & Tranio = Lucentio

59. SO . . . Will Kat be tamed, or won’t she?
Act 3 Mini-Debate
DEBATE - Will Katherine be “tamed,” or not?
Now that the happy couple is wed, it is arguable that Petruchio not only wanted a rich wife, but also a tame wife (at least to some degree). Before reading on, let’s make some predictions about the type of marriage they’ll have.
SO Will Kat be tamed, or won’t she?
Side #1: Petruchio wins Side #2: Katherine wins
He has the most power Balance of power OR she has most power
Kat becomes obedient Kat stays the same (mostly)

60. Act 3: remainder
Author’s Purpose: to show Katherine & Petruchio’s marriage and how he intends to “tame” his wife; the power balance begins to subtly shift.
What do you think Petruchio’s reasoning is for his ridiculous costume, crass behavior in the church, and abrupt exit? What might have motivated his decision to act that way?
Why do you think Shakespeare relays the action of the wedding via 3rd person?
What does Petruchio’s behavior teach us about his character?
What do we learn about Katherine from her reactions to Petruchio?

61. What do these lines mean?
What clues can you find that hint at who the speaker is?
Who is the speaker?
What is the context of this quote? (What is going on at this point in the scene?)
Think about WHY the character is saying what he or she is saying.
Preposterous ass, that never read so far
To know the cause why music was ordain'd!
Was it not to refresh the mind of man
After his studies or his usual pain?
Then give me leave to read philosophy,
And while I pause serve in your harmony.

62. What do these lines mean?
[Aside] How fiery and forward our pedant is!
Now, for my life, the knave doth court my love.
Pedascule, I'll watch you better yet.
What clues can you find that hint at who the speaker is?
Who is the speaker?
What is the context of this quote? (What is going on at this point in the scene?)
Think about WHY the character is saying what he or she is saying.

63. What do these lines mean?
He'll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage,
Make friends invited, and proclaim the banns;
Yet never means to wed where he hath woo'd.
Now must the world point at poor Katherine, And say
'Lo, there is mad Petruchio's wife, if it would please him come and marry her!'
What clues can you find that hint at who the speaker is?
Who is the speaker?
What is the context of this quote? (What is going on at this point in the scene?)
Think about WHY the character is saying what he or she is saying.

64. What do these lines mean?
As I before imparted to your worship,
I am to get a man- whate'er he be
It skills not much; we'll fit him to our turn-
And he shall be Vincentio of Pisa,
And make assurance here in Padua 1495
Of greater sums than I have promised.
So shall you quietly enjoy your hope
And marry sweet Bianca with consent.
What clues can you find that hint at who the speaker is?
Who is the speaker?
What is the context of this quote? (What is going on at this point in the scene?)
Think about WHY the character is saying what he or she is saying.

65. What do these lines mean?
I'll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest 1520
Should ask if Katherine should be his wife,
'Ay, by gogs-wouns' quoth he, and swore so loud
That, all amaz'd, the priest let fall the book;
And as he stoop'd again to take it up,
This mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff 1525
That down fell priest and book, and book and priest.
What clues can you find that hint at who the speaker is?
Who is the speaker?
What is the context of this quote? (What is going on at this point in the scene?)
Think about WHY the character is saying what he or she is saying.

66. What do these lines mean?
What clues can you find that hint at who the speaker is?
Who is the speaker?
What is the context of this quote? (What is going on at this point in the scene?)
Think about WHY the character is saying what he or she is saying.
Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner.
I see a woman may be made a fool
If she had not a spirit to resist.

68. Taming of the Shrew Act 4-5 Activities: Guided Reading
Mini-lessons - themes & modern connections/interpretations
*Begin working on final projects
Study guide for Act 4-5: including character map & characterization organizer.
Taming of the Shrew
Act 4-5

69. Act 4.1
Why do you think Shakespeare included the incidents with Petruchio & his servants? Quote evidence that describes his behavior. Do you think he always treats them like that? Why or why not?
How does Kate react to Petruchio’s behavior, and what does this show about her character? Cite lines to support your response.
Petruchio’s soliloquy: what is the purpose for his speech? What does the audience learn from it, both about the plot and his character? List/explain 3 significant details that the audience learns about either Petruchio’s personality or his plan to tame Kate.
What is your personal opinion of Kate & Petruchio’s relationship so far? Explain your reasoning.

70. Act 4.2
How does Bianca end up with Lucentio/Cambio? What gets Hortensio out of the picture?
Where does Hortensio go, and why? Quote the lines that answer the question.
What are Bianca and Lucentio/Cambio realizing is the flaw in their plan? (What will Baptista eventually realize?)
Think about the significance/effects of the “disguise” element of Bianca and “Cambio’s” secret courtship: what issues does this present for their engagement/marriage?

71. Act 4.3 What techniques does Petruchio use to “tame” Katherine?
How would his actions be interpreted in modern society? What can we learn from this contrast? What is your opinion of their relationship dynamic?
Is Kate helpless, so to speak? In other words, in what ways does she resist “domestication”?
What is Petruchio’s motivation for inviting the tailor to his house?
“it shall be what o’clock I say it is” (IV.iii.189).
What is the significance of this quote?

72. Act
Who is the Pedant, and how does he play a role in Lucentio’s plan?
Why is it so important that Lucentio/Cambio’s father be involved? What do the Pedant/Vincentio and Baptista meet to discuss?
How do these scenes expand the theme of marriage as an economic institution?
What is Bianca & Lucentio/Cambio’s plan at the end of this act?

73. Act 5.1
What event causes Hortensio to tell Petruchio that Katherine has finally been tamed?
Why, when it seems minor in comparison, does this convince the men that she has been subdued?
Who do they meet along the way to Padua and what is the significance of their interaction?

74. Act 5.2
A marriage is the traditional ending for a Shakespearean comedy. In what ways is humor emphasized throughout Bianca and Lucentio’s wedding?
How do the fathers react to Lucentio & Tranio’s deception?
How does the Bianca/Lucentio subplot add to the theme of appearances v. true natures?
In what way does Petruchio display his “success” to the crowd?
Who is Shakespeare really making fun of - the tamer, or the shrew??

75. Who actually “wins” in the end. Is Kat really “tamed”
Who actually “wins” in the end? Is Kat really “tamed”? Who or what is the play really mocking?