1. The Taming of the Shrew

2. Source The Taming of a Shrew A Shrew The Supposes I Suppositti Arabian Nights (induction)

3. Structure Only of Shakespeare’s plays to have an induction – a frame story (he places a story outside the larger part of the play) Function: it introduces the theme of illusion versus reality

4. Type of play Farce: a comedy in which exaggerated and impossible situations are emphasized over the characters and their development Comedy: happy ending

5. Central Character Katherina is she really a shrew? will she ever marry? can Petruchio or anyone else ever reform her? is not her “cure” almost as bad as her disease?

6. Katherina possesses wit and intelligence and has motivations for her actions She is “tamed” but not beaten into submission She learns to control her tongue, but her spirit remains

7. Themes Three different views of marriage Appearance versus reality Masculine dominance

8. Comedy Commedia dell’arte: employs stock characters (ie. The stupid servant) Comedy of humours: characters represent specific types of moods determined by the humours (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile) Farce: comedy based on exaggerated and humorous situations

9. Types of comedy employed in the play Visual comedy (facial expressions and antics) Situation comedy (role exchanges and substitutions) Action comedy (exaggerated situations, actions at a farcical level) Physical appearance comedy (ridiculous costuming, make-up) Verbal humour comedy (frequent puns, bawdy)

10. What is a shrew? Literally: a small mouse Figuratively: a woman with a violent, scolding, or nagging temperment

11. Induction In what ways is a play within a play an effective dramatic device? In what ways is Sly convinced he is a lord and not a beggar? What are some brainwashing techniques that have been used to alter a person’s perception of reality? What is the thematic effect of having Sly, now confused about his own identity, watch the play?

12. Geography of the Play Padua: a center of learning – where the play takes place Pisa: a great commercial city ruled by Florence – where Lucentio’s father is Florence: birthplace of many great figures of the Renaissance – where Lucentio pretends to be from as a tutor Verona: part of the Venetian republic – where Petruchio is from