The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew: Induction & Act 1
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We are going to be using an online version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew for this unit. You should see the Shakespearean language on one page with the matching modern English translation on the next. I will continue reposting the link, but it should be easily searchable online as well. If you get lost, go into No Fear Translation as that is the section we want. [The summary is helpful, but make sure you are reading the full text!]

*I strongly recommend doing a little exploring of the play as you read. Check into the list of characters, read through the summary, look over significant quotes; all of these subheadings exist within the No Fear Shakespeare study guide and may be valuable to you as we begin reading the play.

Please read the following:

Induction:

https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/shakespeare/shrew/page_2/
(Links to an external site.)

Act 1:

https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/shakespeare/shrew/page_28/
(Links to an external site.)

*Each link will take you directly to that Act, but you are welcome to read straight through without relinking if you choose.

Discussion:

Initial Post:

The Induction is often viewed as non-essential and even as a weird addition to the play. Why do you think Shakespeare chooses to include this framing in the story? What benefit might this scene set have for the audience?
Consider the character of Tranio. In Act 1, we see him prepare to take his master Lucentio’s place. Do you think this was Lucentio’s idea? Or is Tranio slyly manipulating his master? Give your reasoning.
How is clothing significant in this first Act? Think back to the reading you did previously on clothing in Shakespeare’s day and discuss how clothing and identity form a relationship in this moment. What might this shift tell us about future actions within the play?
What have we learned so far about Katherine [Kate]? What does it mean to be a “shrew” in Shakespeare’s day? Do you think this definition of the word still holds true today? Why or why not?