The Taming of the Shrew Act IV

The Taming of the ShrewACT IV

1. Why does Grumio arrive ahead of Petruchio and Kate?

•He has been sent ahead to start a fire and to prepare servants to meet Petruchio in a park.

2. How was their journey from Padua?

Grumio’s account suggests it was a miserable, cold trip with Kate falling down with her horse into mud.

3. What do Kate and Petruchio eat when they arrive.

Although a large meal is served, Petruchio sends the entire meal back to the kitchen, and they eat nothing.

4. Why does Petruchio reject the mutton?

He claims that it is burnt

5. What plan does Petruchio concoct to tame Kate after he rejects their meal?

Petruchio plans to deny Katharina sleep and to harrass her until she submits to his will.

6. Why does Tranio swear not to court Bianca?

Tranio forswears Bianca because Hortensio has proven her to be attached to Cambio. But since this was Tranio’s original plan, he is presumably happy to stop pretending to court Bianca

7. What is the taming school to which Tranio refers?

Tranio merely jokes about Petruchio demonstrating the way to make a wife obey her husband.

8. Why does the pedant offer to play the part of Vincentio while in Padua?

Tranio invents a story that the pedant will be executed unless he disguises his true identity as  

9. What does Grumio give to Kate for breakfast?

He gives her not a morsel.

10. How long has Kate slept on her wedding night?

She slept not a wink.

11. What reason does Petruchio give for rejecting the cap?

First he says it is lewd, filthy, and too small; but then he claims that Kate is not gentle enough to wear it.

12. Does Petruchio accept the gown?

Not according to this text. Petruchio does pay the tailor, but only in the movie version (with Elizabeth Taylor) does he finally accept the dress after he has sent away the tailor

13. When was the last time Kate has eaten?

Presumably on the morning of her wedding, at least 24 hours before Grumio taunts her, though probably much more.

14. Where did the pedant encounter Baptista twenty years ago?

The pedant encountered Baptista in Genoa

15. To whom does Baptista think he is giving away his daughter, Bianca?

Baptista thinks he will give Bianca to Tranio, who has assumed the name, clothing and character of Lucentio.

16. Why does Baptista not make immediate arrangements for Bianca’s dowry once he has met the pedant disguised as Vincentio?

Baptista wants to make arrangements in private, not on the street, and fears his servants or Gremio might eavesdrop on their negotiations at his house.

17. How will Lucentio be able to marry Bianca before the public ceremony with Tranio as groom?

Lucentio must take Bianca at night to the old priest at Saint Luke’s Church where they will be married insecret.

18. To what two things does Biondello compare Bianca when speaking with Lucentio about her?

First he compares her to a book, then more specifically to the appendix of a book.

19. What time of day is it when Petruchio declares that the moon shines bright?

It is daytime

20. Whom do Kate and Petruchio encounter on their journey?

They meet Lucentio’s real father, Vincentio

21. How does Kate give in to Petruchio?

Kate reports what Petruchio says to be true, although it is notably false. She later performs according to his will in front of Vincentio.

22. Why is Vincentio headed to Padua?

Vincentio wishes to visit with his son, whom he has not seen in a long while.

23. To what does Petruchio refer when he mentions being crossed?

He alludes to Kate’s practice of contradicting him when he lies or is otherwise testing her patience

24. How does Petruchio greet Vincentio?

He greets Vincentio in an exaggeratedly cordial way and also refers to Vincentio as a woman.

25. How does Kate earn Petruchio’s favor when meeting Vincentio?

Kate greets Vincentio as a woman, following Petruchio’s lead. She then apologizes for her behavior when Petruchio contradicts her for mistaking Vincentio as a woman.

26. How does Vincentio respond to their games with him?

Vincentio is notably confused. He refuses to believe Petruchio when he later claims that Vincentio is his kinsman by Lucentio’s marriage to Bianca  

27. Why is Hortensio with Kate and Petruchio?

Hortensio admits at the end of this scene that he has been watching Petruchio’s skill at taming women.

28. What does Hortensio plan to do when he returns to Padua?

He is eager to test his taming tricks on a wealthy widow after she agrees to marry him.

ACT IV TEST: NOVEMBER 23 & 24