Shrew Characters

Question 1

What are Katerina’s three characteristics?

Answer 1

Cantankerous, jealous (about her sister), hostile (towards suitors). Is she tamed by the end of the book?

Question 2

What are Baptista’s three characteristics?

Answer 2

Wealthy, desperate, superficial. Father of Katerina and Bianca. Looking to Marry off his daughters to wealthy husbands.

Question 3

What are Petruchio’s three characteristics?

Answer 3

Ambiguous motives, upholds the belief that women should be submissive, strong willed and eccentric (a shrew himself?) Comedy of Marriage

Question 4

What are Bianca’s three characteristics?

Answer 4

“Sweet”, “Innocent”, beautiful, deceptive. Younger sister of Katerina. Lots of suitors and understands how to behave to get them, fits with societal expectation of women, subverts gender norms, especially in act 5

Question 5

What are Lucentio’s three characteristics?

Answer 5

Good natured, romantic, used to mock typical romance, disguises himself as a teacher, Cambio

Question 6

What are Hortensio’s three characteristics?

Answer 6

Friend of Petruchio and suitor of Bianca, disguises himself as a teacher, Litio

Question 7

What are Gremio’s three characteristics?

Answer 7

Older suitor to Bianca. Equivalent of Pantaloon in commedia dell’arte; creates a barrier to young people getting together

Question 8

What are Tranio’s three characteristics?

Answer 8

Loyal servant to Lucentio; disguises himself as Lucentio to help him win Bianca. Cheerful, talks himself into situations he may later regret. Seems to relish the opportunity to act as Lucentio

Question 9

What are Grumio’s three characteristics?

Answer 9

Petrucio’s servant and fool, source of comic relief, slapstick humour.

Question 10

What are Biondello’s three characteristics?

Answer 10

Servant of Tranio and Lucentio - demonstrates hierarchical nature of society and enthusiastic about disguises and deceit. One of the first to be threatened with punishment in Act 5

Question 11

What are Vincentio’s three characteristics?

Answer 11

Father to Lucentio. Arrives at the end of the play. Prestigious. Name carries weight. Confuses over disguises and threatens servants with punishments when all is revealed

Question 12

What are the widow’s three characteristics?

Answer 12

Marries Hortensio after he accepts he will not win Bianca’s hand. Subverts gender norms/expectations

Question 13

What are Sly’s three characteristics?

Answer 13

Drunken, low social status - embraces opportunity to be a lord. Clashes with landlady and source of bawdy humour