The Taming of The Shrew Flashcards
What are the key features of the Commedia del arte character, the Pantalone?
- Typically an old man
- Represents money, has exceptional greed and status
- Usually mean and sour
What character best fits the Pantalone? Give two quotes that support this.
Gremio.
“Skipper, stand back; tis age that nourisheth”
After listing all his expensive assets in his house “Myself am struck in years, I must confess, and if i die tomorrow, this is hers (Bianca’s)”
What are Petruchio’s motivations behind getting married?
Give a quote that supports this inference
Petruchio wants to get married as he does not have a lot of money and wants to become more wealthy.
“ I come to wive it wealthily in Padua, If wealthily, then happily in Padua”
How is Petruchio’s relationship with Grumio different to Lucentio’s relationship with Tranio?
Petruchio is much more manipulative an often abusive of Grumio, while Lucentio seems to respect Tranio’s opinion and advice. Tranio seems dedicated to his master, going to such extremes as to take on a new identity and nearly get himself arrested, while Grumio often complains about his master to the audience, and seems to sometimes to pretend to misunderstand/contest him in order to mess with him. Grumio is also quite defensive/defiant, often arguing with his master about why/how he was right.
Give an example of Petruchio showing his disrespect for Grumio?
What comic device is being used here?
In act 2, scene 1, when we are first introduced to both Petruchio and Grumio, Grumio misunderstands Petruchio telling him to “Knock” and believes he wishes Grumio to punch him. to this, Petruchio calls him “A senseless Villain!” and a “rascal”, wringing Grumio’s ears and beating him.
This is an example of both comic confusion and comic violence.
Give a example of Grumio portraying dislike for his master?
“He is more shrew than she (Curtis)– ay” (Act 4 scene 1)
“My master is mad!” Act 2 scene 1
“She knew him half as well as I knew him, she would think scolding would do little good upon him”
Give a quote of Grumio’s that helps foreshadow Petruchio’s true nature
“You know him not sir”
“She knew him half as well as I knew him, she would think scolding would do little good upon him”
“He’ll rail in his rope-tricks” “He’ll throw a figure in her face, and so disfigure her with it”
Name two examples of Grumio portraying folly through childishness
His teasing of Katherina in Act 4 Scene 3, and his refusal to accept blame/persistence that he is right in the same scene (when he actually did make a mistake when ordering Kate’s gown)
His complaining and melodramatic storytelling to Curtis in Act 4 scene 1 (“Tell THOU the tale)
What are the key features of the Commedia del arte character, the Captain?
- Comes from a foreign place, away from the setting
- Opportunistic- this often causing him to be manipulative and greedy
- Boastful, with bravado and false charm
- Bravado can be a facade to disguise true cowardly nature
What Character best fits the profile of the Captain? Give three quotes that support this (and any events).
“Verona, for a while I take my leave to see my friends in Padua”
“Then tell me, If I get your daughters love, what dowry shall I have with her to wife”
Events showing Petruchio’s captain-like opportunism and how this leads to manipulation could be his stichomythia with Kate in Act 2 scene 1 and Petruchio’s use of Vincentio as a tool to ridicule Kate in Act 3 scene 5.
“Tell me her father’s name, and ‘tis enough; For I will board her”
Why is “Buzzard” imagery often used when describing the two shrewish characters (Kate and later Bianca)?
Throughout the play, Shakespeare references hunting, specifically falconry. Falconry is a type of hunting, most popular with rich, upper class males, In which a bird is trained to hunt for the owner, and retrieve the prey for him. The women are often used as metaphysical representations of these falcons, as they are also tamed and forced to carry out the bidding of the same sorts of men.
Give three quotes that show the women objectified as commodities in the play
” But love, fair looks and true obedience- too little payment for so great a debt” -Kate’s Final Speech
“My daughter’s greatest dowrer shall have my Bianca’s love” Baptista- Act 2 scene 1
“ That is, not to bestow my daughter, before I have a husband for the elder”- Baptista, Act 1 Scene 1
What are the key features of the Commedia del arte character, the Doctor?
- Very intelligent and knowledgeable yet somehow understands very little
- Tends to be very verbose and go on long rants about their knowledge/opinions.
- Can be seen as similar to the fool, with the difference being in the lack of complete idiocy
What Character best fits the profile of the Doctor? Give three quotes that support this (and any events).
Hortensio could fit the role of the Doctor. Events could involve Hortensio’s dramatic revealing of his true identity to Tranio (after they caught Bianca and Lucentio courting), despite the fact that all those on stage and in the audience already know -bathos-
Another example could be the cipher Hortensio uses to confess his love. This is intelligent, but makes him seem foolish and silly when he is shut down.
Finally, his attempting to teach Kate (intelligence) and being hit over the head with her lute (folly and ridicule) in Act 2 scene 1.
What are the key features of the Commedia del arte character, the Innamorati?
- The main romantic couple
- Ridiculous/over the top about their love, but they do sincerely love one another
- The main purpose/plot of these characters is to be in love
- They come across obstacles that try to prevent this
