Quotes and Possible Essay Questions for The Taming of the Shrew
Quotations:
1. "I ne'er drank sack in my life." Induction, 2 (Christopher Sly)
2. "Or do I dream? Or have I dreamed till now?" Induction, 2 (Christopher Sly)
3. "Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten apples." 1.1 (Hortensio)
4. "I pray, sir, tell me,--is it possible/ That love should of a sudden take such hold?" 1.1 (Tranio)
5. "I come to wive it wealthily in Padua." 1.2 (Petruchio)
6. "Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules." 1.2 (Gremio)
7. "Then tell me,--if I get your daughter's love,/ What dowry shall I have with her to wife?" 2.1 (Petruchio)
8. "I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again." 2.1 (Petruchio)
9. "he, of both,/ That can assure my daughter greatest dower/ Shall have Bianca's love." 2.1 (Baptista)
10. "I'll not be tied to hours nor 'pointed times,/ But learn my lessons as I please myself." 3.1 (Bianca)
11. "'Lo, there is mad Petruchio's wife." 3.2 (Katharina)
12. "To me she's married, not unto my clothes." 3.2 (Petruchio)
13. "This is a way to kill a wife with kindness." 4.2 (Petruchio)
14. "It shall be what o'clock I say it is." 4.4 (Petruchio)
15. "First, kiss me, Kate, and we will." 5.1 (Petruchio)
Possible Essay Questions:
1. Discuss the relationship between Kate, her sister, Bianca, and their father. Is much of Kate's negative character attributable to this dysfunctional family?
2. Is it possible to argue that there are three shrews in the play, the other two being Bianca and Petruchio?
3. Discuss Petruchio as a voluntary, mirror shrew.
4. Is it possible to argue that the play is not sexist?
5. Discuss any one of the four film versions of the play.
6. Compare and contrast any two films of The Taming of the Shrew.
7. Compare and contrast the Petruchios or Kates in the four film versions of the play.
8. Is it necessary to include the Induction in order to make all of the play's points?
9. Compare Kate to Beatrice and Petruchio to Benedick.
10. Compare and contrast The Taming of the Shrew with Much Ado About Nothing.