Concept

The Taming of the Shrew

Summary

The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken tinker named Christopher Sly into believing he is actually a nobleman himself. The nobleman then has the play performed for Sly's diversion. The main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship; however, Petruchio "tames" her with various psychological and physical torments, such as keeping her from eating and drinking, until she becomes a desirable, compliant, and obedient bride. The subplot features a competition between the suitors of Katherina's younger sister, Bianca, who is seen as the "ideal" woman. The question of whether the play is misogynistic has become the subject of considerable controversy. The Taming of the Shrew has been adapted numerous times for stage, screen, opera, ballet, and musical theatre, perhaps the most famous adaptations being Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate; McLintock!, a 1963 American Western comedy film, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara; and the 1967 film of the play, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The 1999 high-school comedy film 10 Things I Hate About You, and the 2003 romantic comedy Deliver Us from Eva are also loosely based on the play. Katherina (Kate) Minola – the "shrew" of the title Bianca Minola – sister of Katherina, the ingénue Baptista Minola – father of Katherina and Bianca Petruchio – suitor of Katherina Gremio – elderly suitor of Bianca Lucentio – suitor of Bianca Hortensio – suitor of Bianca and friend to Petruchio Grumio – Petruchio's manservant Tranio – Lucentio's manservant Biondello – servant of Lucentio Vincentio – father of Lucentio Widow – wooed by Hortensio Pedant – pretends to be Vincentio Haberdasher Tailor Curtis – servant of Petruchio Nathaniel – servant of Petruchio Joseph – servant of Petruchio Peter – servant of Petruchio Nicholas – servant of Petruchio Philip – servant of Petruchio Officer Characters appearing in the Induction: Christopher Sly – a drunken tinker Hostess of an alehouse Lord – plays a prank on Sly Bartholomew – Lord's page boy Lord's Huntsman Players Servingmen Messenger Prior to the first act, an induction frames the play as a "kind of history" played in front of a befuddled drunkard named Christopher Sly who is tricked into believing that he is a lord.

Official source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Taming_of_the_Shrew

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