A Wild cat for a wife
Who is Katharine?
Katherine - The “shrew” of the play’s title, Katherine, or Kate, is the daughter of Baptista Minola, with whom she lives in Padua. She is sharp-tongued, quick-tempered, and prone to violence, particularly against anyone who tries to marry her. Her hostility toward suitors particularly distresses her father. But her anger and rudeness disguise her deep-seated sense of insecurity and her jealousy toward her sister, Bianca. She does not resist her suitor Petruchio forever, though, and she eventually subjugates herself to him, despite her previous repudiation of marriage.
Who is Petruchio?
Petruchio - Petruchio is a gentleman from Verona. Loud, boisterous, eccentric, quick-witted, and frequently drunk, he has come to Padua “to wive and thrive.” He wishes for nothing more than a woman with an enormous dowry, and he finds Kate to be the perfect fit. Disregarding everyone who warns him of her shrewishness, he eventually succeeds not only in wooing Katherine, but in silencing her tongue and temper with his own.
Who is Bianca?
Bianca - The younger daughter of Baptista. The lovely Bianca proves herself the opposite of her sister, Kate, at the beginning of the play: she is soft-spoken, sweet, and unassuming. Thus, she operates as Kate’s principal female foil. Because of her large dowry and her mild behavior, several men vie for her hand. Baptista, however, will not let her marry until Kate is wed.
Who is the father?
Baptista - Minola Baptista is one of the wealthiest men in Padua, and his daughters become the prey of many suitors due to the substantial dowries he can offer. He is good-natured, if a bit superficial. His absentmindedness increases when Kate shows her obstinate nature. Thus, at the opening of the play, he is already desperate to find her a suitor, having decided that she must marry before Bianca does.
Who is Grumio?
Grumio - Petruchio’s servant and the fool of the play—a source of much comic relief.
Where is the setting of the story?
In an Italian city known as Padua.
What are 2 themes of the story?
*Marriage.
*The Effect of Social Roles on Individual Happiness.
Explain what was the bet the 3 men made:
The bet was that (since there were three men, and they had wives) the men should call for their wives, and they would see which one would be the quickest to go to them. After all, Katharine was the only one to come to her husband, and so Petruchio won the bet.
Name the lessons Katharine learned at the end of the story:
Katharine had learned the error of her scolding ways while she was with her husband. She learnt how foolish and ungracious her former behavior was and she was enjoying being a humble and obedient wife. She learnt that frowns and scowls and ugly looks can spoil a lady's beauty, and were hurtful, and that peevish or aggressive behavior cannot be justified.