Act 1 Scene 1

Question 1

How does Lucentio establish the fact that he trusts/respects Tranio within his introductory soliloquy?
(Quote)

Answer 1

“My trusty servant well approved in all”

Question 2

How does Shakespeare present Lucentio as virtuous?

Answer 2

“That treats of happiness by virtue specially to be achieved”

Question 3

Why has Lucentio travelled to Padua?

Answer 3

to study- “i study virtue, and that part of philosophy”

Question 4

Where does Lucentio come from?

Answer 4

Pisa

Question 5

How is Tranio presented as slightly more mischievous?

Answer 5

“While we do admire this virtue and this moral discipline, let’s not be stoics nor no stocks”

Question 6

Who enters the scene after Tranio and Lucentio?

Answer 6

Baptista, Katherina, Bianca, Gremio and Hortensio

Question 7

How does Baptista refuse the two suitor’s proposals to marry Bianca? (Quote)

Answer 7

“(I am firmly resolved) Not to bestow my youngest daughter, before I have a husband for the elder”

Question 8

What quote involves Gremio comparing Kate to a prostitute?

Give the quote, the contextual reference and how this reflects his commedia del arte character

Answer 8

“to cart her, rather: She’s too rough for me.”
Carting was the practice of whipping and publicly flogging prostitutes, whilst being dragged around on a horse and cart through public squares. It was considered a humiliating experience.
This reflects the bitterness expected in his character of the Pantalone

Question 9

What flaw does Hortensio point out in Kate, that he says will cause there to be “No mates for you”?

Answer 9

“No mates for you, unless you were of GENTLER MILDER MOULD”

Question 10

What is Kate’s iconic insult (involving violence towards her mean “suitors”)

Answer 10

“To comb your noddle with a three legged stool, And paint your face, and use you like a fool”

Translation- “I’ll beat you over the head with a stool and then smear the blood all over your face”

Question 11

What does Tranio warn Lucentio about Katherina?

Answer 11

“That wench is stark mad”

Question 12

What does Lucentio say he admires in Bianca (“m” consonance)

Answer 12

“Maid’s (Bianca’s) MILD BEHAVIOR and SOBRIETY”

Question 13

How does Katherina suggest that Bianca is a fake?

Answer 13

“A pretty Peat! it is best put finger in the eye and she knew why”

Translation- “Liar! She might as well poke herself in the eye to make herself FAKE cry, and SHE KNOWS she’s a fake”

Question 14

When discussing finding a wife for Katherina, what Gremio quote foreshadows petruchio being a nasty character?

Answer 14

“(I say, a husband) I say a devil. Thinkst thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell?”

Question 15

What 2 quotes of Lucentio’s suggest that his love for Bianca is genuine, and not driven by greed or ulterior motive (making him fit the innamorati better than Petruchio)?

Answer 15

“I found the effect of love in idleness”

“Tarnio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio, if I achieve not this young, modest girl”

Question 16

What does Lucentio ask Tranio for, that shows they are not the typical servant and master (include quote that shows Lucentio’s trust in Tranio)

Answer 16

He asks Tranio for his advice on how to handle his sudden infatuation with Bianca
“For thy counsel’s sound”

Question 17

What is one quote that suggests that Lucentio was only drawn to Bianca because of her beauteous looks and modest behavior?

Answer 17

“Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her”

Question 18

What is one side comment of Tranio’s that suggests he is a more sensible/serious character than Lucentio?

Answer 18

“(aside) Then tis time to stir him from his trance” Referring to Lucentio’s maddening, love-at-first-site pining for Bianca

Question 19

What prop-oriented event happens during Tranio and Lucentio’s dialogue?

Answer 19

They switch outfits

Question 20

Name one quote that suggests that Bianca has the upper hand over Lucentio, as he submits himself to her?

Answer 20

“let me be a slave to achieve that maid”

Question 21

What does Lucentio call Biondello, that suggests he may be the runt of the pack, or a comic fool?

Answer 21

“the rogue”

Question 22

Biondello and Grumio are both servants and both often presented as comic fools, what are two elements of dialogue they both show (give 2 quote that support this)

Answer 22

They both argue back against their masters, creating hilarity, as this seems petty, childish and/or unexpected
- “Where have I been? Nay, how now, where are YOU”
They both use confusion to create comicality- Biondello is confused the outfit swap between the two characters
- “Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes? Or you stolen his, or both?”

Question 23

Give two quotes that show obliviousness/ stupidity in Biondello?

Answer 23

• “(Lucentio- you undertand me?” I sir, Ne’er a whit!”
• “(Lucentio- Tranio is changed into Lucentio) The better for him, would I were so too!”
• Basically insulting Tranio to his face*

Question 24

What is unusual about the ending of Act 1 scene 1?

Answer 24

It ends with commentary from Sly and his party, watching the Play’s events, and stating that he is beginning to “nod” (fall asleep) and wishes that the play was over.

Question 25

What comic method is used by Sly at the end of Act 1 scene 1?

Answer 25

he brings attention to the play’s own artifice, bringing attention to the play-within-a-play structure.