The Taming of the Shrew

William Shakespeare, c. 1591

Shakespeare’s comedy, framed as a play staged for a drunken tinker, of Petruchio, who marries the sharp-tongued Katherina of Padua for her dowry and sets out to tame her, while suitors in disguise court her sister Bianca.

Start reading14 scenes, about 22,000 words

Famous quotes

No profit grows where is no pleasure ta’en;
In brief, sir, study what you most affect.
Act I, Scene I, spoken by TranioIn context
- Education
- Happiness
There’s small choice in rotten apples.
Act I, Scene I, spoken by HortensioIn context
- Decisions
Do as adversaries do in law,
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
Act I, Scene II, spoken by TranioIn context
Thereby hangs a tale.
Act IV, Scene I, spoken by GrumioIn context
For ’tis the mind that makes the body rich;
And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds,
So honour peereth in the meanest habit.
What, is the jay more precious than the lark
Because his feathers are more beautiful?
Act IV, Scene III, spoken by PetruchioIn context
- Beauty
- Character
Come on, and kiss me, Kate.
Act V, Scene II, spoken by PetruchioIn context
- Love

Induction

Scene IBefore an alehouse on a heath
Scene IIA bedchamber in the Lord’s house

Act I

Scene IPadua. A public place
Scene IIPadua. Before Hortensio’s house

Act II

Scene IPadua. A room in Baptista’s house

Act III

Scene IPadua. A room in Baptista’s house
Scene IIThe same. Before Baptista’s house

Act IV

Scene IA hall in Petruchio’s country house
Scene IIPadua. Before Baptista’s house
Scene IIIA room in Petruchio’s house
Scene IVPadua. Before Baptista’s house
Scene VA public road

Act V

Scene IPadua. Before Lucentio’s house
Scene IIA room in Lucentio’s house