What is the play "The Taming of the Shrew" about?

Question

Can you also give me some of the characters and what they're like? What is the plot? Thanks!

Answer 1

The Taming of the Shrew can be interpreted in various ways depending on the style of performance. The final scene especially, when Katerina scolds her fellow newlyweds for not properly appreciating their husbands, can be either extremely misogynistic or farcical- is she really broken or is she just telling him what he wants to hear?

The characters include:

Katerina- a bitchy, witty, and smart girl a little past her prime

Petruchio- an a*****e with the utmost confidence in his abilities

Bianca- sniveling but with a suprising and slightly unexpected backbone

Lucentio- Bianca's biggest fan; an idealist who still has his youth

Gremio/Hortensio- Bianca's other fans who arrange for Petruchio to court the uncourtable Katerina

Grumio- Petruchio's servant and quite possibly the funniest character in the entire show

Tranio- Lucentio's servant who switches places with him so Lucentio can court Bianca secretly

Just a quick correction to the other comment- the wedding between Katerina and Petruchio takes place in the middle of the play. The end of the show is Lucentio and Bianca's wedding during which Katerina shows how much she's learned about obedience through a bet between Petruchio, Lucentio and Hortensio about who's wife is the most obedient.

But I reiterate the 10 Things I Hate About You recommendation- it's a classic 90s teen movie. Heath Ledger makes a fine appearance in it as well.

Answer 2

Taming of the Shrew's about a 'shrew'- a woman everyone hates because she's rude and mean. Her name's Kate. Her younger sister's name is Bianca, and she's loved by everyone. Kate and Bianca's father have a rule that Bianca can't marry until Kate does, which annoys everyone cause they know Kate will never get married. There are four guys- two of them are foolish old men whho think they're in love with Bianca. One is a younger guy who is actually in love with Bianca and the other's an arrogant guy who will do anything for money. The old men bet this arrogant guy that he can't marry the shrew, Kate- and he takes the bet. He marrys her through force and then makes her regret being hostile towards him (he tames her). In the end, Kate and Petrucio (the arrogant guy) are married and Kate is willing to 'put her hand under his show'. Bianca and the young guy are married are happily married. Kate is rude and hated by all. Bianca is sickly sweet and beautiful. Petrucio is over confident. Lank is pretty much sincere about his love for Bianca. There's a great movie called 'The Ten Things I Hate About You' that's a modern adaptation of the play, you should see it. Hope I helped!