The Taming of the Shrew s1

“The Taming of The Shrew” by William Shakespeare– a version by The Lingua-Arts Theatre Company Material for classroom study

The Characters Study the Characters and The Story on the next page. Later you will do a comprehension exercise.

Baptista is very wealthy1 gentleman of Padua. He has two daughters, Kate and Bianca and he wants them to marry wealthy men. He must find a husband for the elder daughter first, but the problem is, she is a shrew2: that is a violent and rude woman whom no man wants to marry. ‘’Tis possible such torment? I pray it cease.’ Baptista: Scene iv Kate (also called Katherina or Katherine) is Baptista’s oldest daughter and sister to Bianca. Kate is a shrew. She does not trust, or like, anyone and does not conform to the idea of how a young lady should behave 3. ‘Pack of fools, get thee gone out of my sight’. Kate: Scene iii Bianca is the youngest daughter and sister to Kate. Bianca is the opposite of Kate. She behaves as a young lady ‘should’ - docile, obedient, feminine - and everyone loves her. She has many suitors 4 who want to marry her. But is she as perfect as she appears? ‘Farewell, dear masters both, I must be gone?’.: Bianca - speaking to her “teachers.”: Scene vi Petruchio is a gentleman from Verona. Petruchio is a very clever and high-spirited 5 man. He has come to Padua to find a wife, and if she is rich, all the better. ‘A wealthy wife, good sir, can only mean a happy life.” Petrucio: Scene iii

Grumio is Petruchio’s servant. He is a rough and rude6. ‘To hell with all mad masters’. Grumio: Scene ix

Gremio is a neighbour7 to Baptista and suitor to Bianca. He disguises8 himself as a teacher of music (calling himself Litio) so that he can be near Bianca without the father knowing. ‘Two, sir, is company; three is a crowd”. Gremio speaking to Lucentio: Scene iv

Hortensio is a very old and very wealthy suitor to Bianca and neighbour to Baptista. He is also a friend of Petruchio. “For in Baptista’s house my treasure is: his youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca.” Hortensio: Scene iii. Lucentio is a young gentleman from Pisa and son of Vincentio. He falls in love with Bianca at first sight and disguises himself as a teacher of Latin (called Cambio), so that he can be near her. Because Baptista may not agree to a marriage with Bianca, he plans to woo 9 and marry her in secret. ‘And with her breath she did perfume the air’. Lucentio: Scene ii.

Tranio is servant to Lucentio. In order to help his master with his plan, he disguises himself as Lucentio to ask Baptista for the hand of Bianca. In order to succeed10, he exaggerates Lucentio’s fortune. ‘Is it possible that love should, of a sudden, take such hold?’ Tranio: Sc. ii. Vincentio is the father of Lucentio. He visits Padua to see his son and discovers that Tranio is pretending 11 to be Lucentio and that an actor is pretending to be himself!!! ‘How dare you take upon another man’s name!’. Vincentio: Scene xii

1 wealthy = adinerado, rico 2 shrew = fierecilla 3 to behave = comportarse 4 suitor = pretendiente 5 high-spirited = lleno de vida, brioso 6 rude = grosero 7 neighbour = vecino 8 to disguise yourself = disfrazarte 9 to woo = cortejar 10 to succeed = tener éxito 11 to pretend = fingir 2 The Actor He is paid by Tranio to disguise himself as Vincentio. This is because Baptista wants to meet Vincentio (Lucentio’s father) so that he assure himself1 that Lucentio is very wealthy. “El dinero más fácil que he ganado en mi vida.” Actor: Scene xii The Story Padua – 17th century. The play opens with a fight2 between two sisters, Kate and Bianca. Kate is jealous3 of her younger sister’s many suitors, but as she’s a violent woman, men are afraid to ask for Kate’s hand4. Baptista, their father, is desperate to find husbands for his daughters, but according to the local laws5, he cannot permit Bianca to marry until the older sister finds a husband first.

Baptista insists that Bianca be taught at home by private teachers. So two suitors, Gremio and Lucentio, disguise themselves as “teachers” in order to to court6 her in secret. Lucentio and Bianca fall in love but Lucentio is afraid that Baptista will not approve7 of him as he is not very rich. He has a plan: he asks his servant, Tranio, to take his place8 and, pretending to be rich, to ask for Baptista for Bianca’s hand in marriage. That way, he can find time to woo9 Bianca in secret, and then marry her, also in secret.

Meanwhile, Petruchio arrives in Padua to look for a rich wife. Hortensio, another of Bianca’s suitors, has an idea: if Petruchio marries Kate, then he will be free to court Bianca. And so he introduces Petruchio to Baptista who is very happy to find a husband for Kate. They meet and Kate is immediately rude and aggressive to Petruchio. However, he is still determined10 to marry her. He thinks of a plan to tame11 the shrew. Kate now finds herself engaged12 to man she hates.

It is the day of Kate and Petruchio’s wedding13. Petruchio not only arrives late, he is also drunk14 and dressed ridiculously. After the ceremony, Petruchio demands they leave immediately for Verona where he continues with his plan to tame his wife. For days, Petruchio forbids15 Kate to eat or sleep, and demonstrates to Kate that he can behave16 just as badly, if not worse17, than his shrewish wife.

Now that Kate is married, Baptista can find a husband for Bianca. He meets Tranio (disguised as Lucentio) and, believing “Tranio/Lucentio” to be a rich, agrees to the union. But he doesn’t know that Bianca and Lucentio are already - unofficially and secretly - married.

Petruchio continues to starve18 Kate of food. Then they’re invited to the ‘official’ wedding of her sister. For the occasion, Petruchio buys Kate a new dress, but then he destroys it before she can wear it. Soon after, Kate realises19 that her husband is playing a game with her, and so she also decides to “play” with him.

Lucentio’s father pays a surprise visit to his son in Padua, which uncovers20 the true identity of Tranio and the lies21 told by Lucentio.

Now that Lucentio and Bianca’s marriage is no longer secret, they decide to hold a banquet. It is here that Lucentio and Petruchio have a bet22 on which of their wives is more obedient. Surprisingly, Kate reveals a drastic change in behaviour: she has become an obedient wife and professes her love to her husband. Bianca, however, shows that she is not the modest and obedient girl that she wanted everyone to believe.

1 to assure himself = asegurarse 2 fight = pelea 3 jealous = celosa 4 to ask for someone’s hand = pedir la mano (en matrimonio) 5 laws = leyes 6 to court = cortejar 7 to approve = aprobar 8 to take his place = ocupar su lugar 9 to woo = cortejar (otra palabra: to court) 10 determined = decidido, resuelto 11 to tame = domar 12 engaged = prometida 13 wedding = boda 14 drunk = borracho 15 to forbid = prohibir 16 to behave = comportarse 17 worse = peor 18 to starve = privar de comida 19 to realise = darse cuenta 20 to uncover = destapar, revelar 21 lies = mentiras 22 to have a bet = apostar 3 But has Kate really changed? Or do she and Petruchio share a secret together in order to play a joke 1 on Bianca and Lucentio?

Comprehension Exercises

1 - Learning the Characters

Using the Characters list to help you, and after studying THE STORY, can you complete the gaps with the correct character’s name? We’ve given you 2 examples: Baptista’s oldest daughter is KATE, and Cambio is the false teacher’s name of which suitor?

Baptista

__Kate___ (oldest daughter) ______(youngest daughter)

Suitors: Suitors: Teachers:

1.______1.______( ______)

2.______

3.______( False name: Cambio )

Servant: Servant:

______

Father: ______

2 – Understanding the PLOT (el argumento)

After reading THE STORY, decide if these statements are true or false.

TRUE FALSE 1. Kate is Baptista’s oldest daughter. 2. Baptista insists that Bianca must marry before Kate marries. 3. Kate is the Shrew . 4. Petruchio comes to Padua to find a rich wife. 5. Bianca has only got one suitor. (pretendiente) 6. Kate falls in love with Petruchio at first sight. 7. Gremio disguises himself as one of Bianca’s servants. 8. Baptista wants Bianca to study. 9. After they are married, Petruchio treats Kate beautifully. 10. Tranio pretends to be Lucentio’s father. 11. Bianca marries in secret. 1 to play12. a jokeKate = buys gastar herself una broma new clothes for Bianca’s wedding 13. Both Kate and Bianca get married 4 EXTRACTS FROM THE PLAY

EXTRACT ONE: Scene viii Baptista is choosing a husband for Bianca. (Remember, in the 17th century, girls did not choose their husbands). Read and decide what is more important to Baptista: A) who loves her the most? B) who is the best friend and neighbour?, or C) who has got the most money?

BAPTISTA: Now that my daughter Bianca’s free to wed1, Let us commence important dialogue.

HORTENSIO: This is the day we long have looked for; I am your neighbour, and was suitor first.

TRANIO: And I am one that loves Bianca more.

BAPTISTA: He that can assure the greater riches Shall have Bianca’s love. Signor Hortensio…

HORTENSIO: As you know, my house is richly furnished2 With jewels and gold. Myself am old in years, But if I die tomorrow, this is hers.

TRANIO: I am my father’s heir3 and only son; I’ll leave her houses three or four as good. And, in addition, two thousand ducats. What, have I pinched4 you, Signor Hortensio?

HORTENSIO: (Aside) Two thousand ducats! Fie, that is too much. (To Tranio) Two thousand, done, besides a merchant-ship.

TRANIO: ‘Tis known my father has three merchant-ships, And twelve tight galleys5. These I will assure her, Plus, twice as much whatever you offer next.

HORTENSIO: Nay, I have offered all, I have no more.

TRANIO: Why, then, by your promise, the maid is mine.

BAPTISTA: (To Tranio) I must confess your offer is the best. This Sunday, Bianca shall be bride to you. That is, of course, after I meet your father Who must assure me that your fortune’s true.

What do you think? 1. Why does Baptista want to meet Tranio’s father? 2. Is Baptista greedy (codicioso) or is he worried about Bianca’s future. (Women from noble families did not work in those times, so all their money came from their husbands.) 3. Should Bianca be allowed to choose her own husband? 4. Should a man be able to support his wife financially? (mantener su mujer economicamente) 5. Which countries or cultures still have arranged marriages? (boda concertada por la familia de los novios)

1 wed = casarse 2 furnished = amueblado 3 heir = heredero 4 to pinch (una palabra del siglo XVII) = superar 5 galley = galera (un tipo de barco) 5

EXTRACT TWO: Scene i

This scene starts the play. We see two sisters (Katherina/Kate and Bianca) fighting over men. Read it carefully and then answer the questions below.

KATE: Bianca! Of all your suitors here, you must tell me Whom you love best.

BIANCA: I love no one the best! No one more special than any other.

KATE: Bianca, you lie1! Is it not Gremio?

BIANCA: If you like him sister, please do have him!

KATE: O, then perhaps you fancy2 riches more: You’ll have Hortensio for all his money.

BIANCA: Is it for him that you envy3 me so? I prithee4, sister Kate, untie5 my hands.

(Bianca stands on her foot, Kate hits6 her. Enter their father, Baptista)

BAPTISTA: Katherina, what is this insolence? When did she cross7 you with an angry word?

KATE: Her silence mocks8 me, and I’ll be revenged9.

(She goes to hit Bianca. Baptista stops her.)

BAPTISTA: What, in my sight?

KATE: Ah, that’s it. Now I see, She’s your treasure; she must have a husband, And I’ll have nothing on her wedding-day10.

QUESTIONS

1. Describe Kate and Bianca’s relationship. 2. How many suitors are mentioned in this extract? 3. What reason does Kate give for hitting Bianca? 4. Who is Baptista angry with? 5. Who does Kate think is Baptista’s favourite daughter? 6. Why do you think Kate behaves in such an angry and violent way?

1 to lie = mentir 2 to fancy = gustarse 3 to envy = envidiar 4 I prithee = (forma antigua) = te ruego 5 to untie = desatar 6 to hit = pegar 7 to cross = (forma antigua) = dirigir (una palabra) (¿Cuando te ha hablado mal?) 8 to mock = burlarse (Se burla de mí con su silencio) 9 to be revenged = vengarse 10 wedding-day = día de la boda 6

EXTRACT THREE: Scene iv Petruchio is about to meet Kate and to ask for her hand. He has heard that she is a “shrew” so he decides on a plan of action. He describes his plan in Spanish. Read it carefully and then translate it into English.

Petruchio: Y cuando llegue, le haré la corte a mi manera. ¿Que me insulta? Le diré que canta tan suavemente como un ruiseñor. ¿Que no quiere hablar? Adularé entonces su elocuencia. Y, si rehúsa casarse, le rogaré que me diga el día en que celebraremos nuestra boda. Pero aquí viene…

 Do you think his plan will work? – What kind of man would think of a plan like this?

EXTRACT FOUR: Scene xi It is over a week later, and Petruchio is now married to Kate. She is still being very difficult, so in order to “tame” her, Petruchio refuses to give her food and doesn’t let her sleep. Kate is very hungry and tired. She orders the servant, Grumio, to serve her food.

KATE: What, did he marry me to famish1 me? Beggars2 that knock upon my father’s door, Are served with food and given charity While I, a gentlewoman of high birth3, Am starved of meat, dizzy4 for lack of sleep, And to top all cruelty, my husband claims He does it under name of perfect love; I prithee, go and get me some repast5; I care not what, so long’s ‘tis real food.

GRUMIO: What say you to a bowl of lentil soup?

KATE: I like it well: good Grumio, fetch it me.

GRUMIO: I fear the soup is old. It will not serve. What say you to some cheese?

KATE: The cheese will do.

GRUMIO: Nay, what a head! I do remember well. I gave it to the dogs to finish off.

KATE: (Hitting him) Go, get thee gone, you false, deluding6 slave That triumphs on my very misery, I’ll have you cooked and served up for my meal.

Enter Petruchio with a plate of food.

PETRUCHIO: How fares my Kate, my pretty, docile love?

KATE: As well as can be.

PETRUCHIO: Look cheerful7, my dear Here is some meat I took the pains8 to make. (He hesitates) I’m sure, sweet love, this kindness merits9 thanks. What, not a word? Here, take away this dish.

1 to famish / to starve = privar de comida 2 beggar = mendigo 3 high birth = alto rango, nobleza 4 dizzy = mareada 5 repast = (palabra antigua) comida 6 deluding = engañoso 7 cheerful = contenta 8 I took the pains = me tomé la molestia 9 to merit = merecer 7

 Comprehension: read Extract Four again carefully and answer these questions.

TRUE OR FALSE? TRUE FALSE 1. Grumio does not want to serve his mistress food. 2. Kate was born into a poor family. 3. Kate is extremely hungry 4. Kate thinks she has a perfect husband 5. Petruchio offers Kate some food. What do you think? (Puedes contester en castellano)

1) ¿Por qué crees que Grumio no le da de comer a su ama? 2) Kate habla de los mendigos que piden limosnas en casa de su padre. ¿Por qué se compara con ellos? 3) ¿Qué crees que piensa Kate de su marido en esta escena? 4) ¿Cuales son las dos excusas que usa Grumio para rehusarle la comida? 5) ¿Por qué Petruchio le ofrece comida, y luego cambia de idea? 6) ¿Crees que Kate le va a dar las gracias por la comida? 7) ¿Cómo describirías el comportamiento de Petruchio hacía su mujer?

LANGUAGE WORK – ADJECTIVES and their OPPOSITES 1. Below are some adjectives that describe Petruchio and Kate. Sometimes we give you the adjective to describe the character; sometimes we give you its OPPOSITE. Find the missing adjective from the words listed under the table. Here’s one example: cruel/kind; (Use a dictionary if you don’t know the meanings.)

PETRUCHIO opposite KATE opposite cruel kind impulsive foolish violent sexist polite boring exhausted tyrannical obedient forceful starved

peaceful well-fed liberal amusing intelligent democratic submissive rude disobedient rested prudent

2. These adjectives describe both Kate and her sister Bianca. Which ones could describe Kate at the start of the play, and which ones could describe Bianca?

docile rebellious feminine respectful problematic dutiful KATE BIANCA hot-headed troublesome disruptive obedient wild passive troublesome meek undisciplined gentle 8 WH O SAYS WHAT?

Which character do you think will say what during the play? Write their names next to the sentences and then CHECK it again AFTER you have seen the play. Were you correct?

2) I’ll 1) Believe promise me, Signor 3) Being Tranio, thee she mad Mistress shall be herself, Bianca rich, she’s 5) I know has eyes very madly you not; rich. only for 6) Imated. will die if I 4) If I’m I trust her cannot win this a wasp, you not. young, modest teacherthen of maid. Latin. best 7) Mistress, I beware bring 8) You villain!my good Why are you sting. dressed in this news. I, 9) What manner? Lucentio, have renounced your is this love! 11) Dadle suficiente man a oro y se casará lunati 10) I will con una vieja c? be mula. master of what is mine own! 10) I will be master of what is mine own!

EXTRACT FIVE: Scene xi

It is day time. The sun is shining. Kate and Petruchio are returning to Padua for Bianca’s wedding. Petruchio has been treating Kate very cruelly. Read the scene in which Petruchio is trying to confuse Kate by stating the opposite of what is TRUE (for example, he says that the moon is the sun.) Kate is tired and no longer wants to fight, so she agrees with everything he says. During the journey they meet another traveller, Lucentio’s father, Vincentio. Complete the dialogue by putting the correct words from the box. (Sometimes the word is repeated.)

eyes sun young moon old moon mad sun

Petruchio: Good Lord, how bright and lovely shines the moon! ... I say it is the ______.1

Kate: I know it is the ______.2

Petruchio: ‘Tis not, you lie1. It is the blessed2 sun.

Kate: Why, God be blessed, it is the blessed ______. 3 Whate’er you say, that will be so for Kate.

Petruchio: Well, I’ll be damned3. Let us go our ways. (Enter Vincentio) But look, I think we have some company. Good morrow, gentle mistress4. Tell me, Kate, Have you ever seen a lovelier gentlewoman5?

Kate: 4. ______budding6 maid, fair, and fresh, and sweet,

Petruchio: Why, how now, Kate, I hope you are not ______5. This is a man, wrinkled7, decrepit, ______.6

Kate: Pardon, good sir, my 7. ______are mistaken8. It seems they have been blinded9 by the …. .______8.

This is the first time Kate decides NOT to fight with her husband. In fact, in this scene, her behavior changes drastically: she is now calm, agreeable, even charming. She agrees with everything her husband says. WHY the big change?

(DESPUÉS DE VER LA OBRA, PODRÁS CONTESTAR MEJOR A ESTA PREGUNTA.)

1 to lie = mentir 2 blessed = bendito 3 I’ll be damned! = ¡Vaya por díos! 4 mistress = señora, señorita 5 gentlewomand = dama 6 budding = virginal, en ciernes, incipiente 7 wrinkled = arrugado 8 mistaken = equivocados 9 blinded = cegados 10

AFTER SEEING THE PLAY, do this section! First this QUIZ…

1. Which character is late for Katherine and 10. All these characters adopt a disguise? Petruchio’s wedding? (A) Tranio, Lucentio, Gremio, the Actor. (A) Petruchio (B) Tranio, Lucentio, Hortensio, Grumio (B) Vincentio (C) Gremio, Petruchio, Bianca, Lucentio (C) The Actor (D) Hortensio, Baptista, Gremio, Tranio (D) Baptista 11. What is a “shrew,” as defined by this play? 2. Who becomes Bianca’s music teacher? (A) A small animal that makes holes in gardens (A) Gremio (B) A chauvinistic and tyrannical man (B) Lucentio (C) An bad-tempered and disobedient woman (C) Hortensio (D) An old man who tries to marry a young girl (D) Grumio 12. Why does Petruchio agree to marry Kate? 3. Which character is Petruchio’s servant? (A) He wants her father’s money. (A) Gremio (B) He likes her personality. (B) Grumio (C) He is desperately lonely. (C) Tranio (D) He is drunk. (D) Hortensio 13. What objects of clothing does Kate want? 4. How does Lucentio declare his love for Bianca? (A) A gown and a cap (A) Through a clever music lesson (B) Gloves (B) Through a poem he leaves on her pillow (C) A pair of shoes (C) By whispering in her ear (D) A pair of stockings (D) Through a Latin translation 14. How many people get married in the play? 5. What does Petruchio convince Kate to say (A) Two about the sun? (B) Four (A) That it is black (C) No-one (B) That it is too bright (D) Six. (C) That it is cold (D) That it is the moon 15. Whom do Petruchio and Kate meet on the road back to Padua? 6. Who is Bianca’s father? (A) Tranio (A) Tranio (B) Vincentio (B) Gremio (C) Lucentio (C) Baptista (D) Bianca and Lucentio (D) Petruchio

7. Who pretends to be Lucentio’s father? 16. Whom does Gremio say he’s going to marry? (A) Baptista (A) Bianca (B) Vincentio (B) Kate (C) Petruchio (C) A wealthy widow (D) The Actor (D) No one

8. Whose wife is the first to obey their husbands 17. Where do Petruchio and Kate go at the end of at the end of the play? the play? (A) Baptista’s (A) To bed (B) Hortensio’s (B) To Rome (C) Petruchio’s (C) To London (D) Lucentio’s (D) To Verona

18. Petruchio wears stupid clothes to his own 9. Who becomes Bianca’s Latin teacher? wedding in order to… (A) Tranio (A) make Kate feel more beautiful (B) Hortensio (B) make Baptista angry. (C) Grumio (C) make the priest feel more beautiful. (D) Lucentio (D) humiliate Kate. 11

EXTRACT SIX Scene xii

This is Kate’s final, and surprising, speech. Study it again.

Kate: Your husband is your lord: your life, your keeper1, Your head, your sovereign2, one that cares for thee, While you lie warm at home, secure and safe. And as should be, he asks no more from you But love, fair looks, and true obedience. I am ashamed3 that women are so simple To offer war, where they should kneel4 for peace. Then, vail your stomachs5, for it is no boot And place your hands below your husband’s foot. In token6 of which duty, if he please, My hand is ready, may it do him ease7.

Now that you have seen the play and have read Kate’s last speech again, what do you think?

1. How has Kate changed from the beginning of the play? ¿Cómo ha ido cambiando Kate desde el comienzo de la obra? 2. How has Bianca changed from the beginning of the play? ¿Cómo ha ido cambiando Bianca? 3. What do you think are the reasons for Kate’s change? And Bianca’s change? ¿Cuales son los verdaderos motivos que hay detrás de estos cambios? 4. There is a theory that Petruchio and Kate planned a trick on Lucentio in order to win the bet, and that Kate is only pretending to be submissive? What do you think? Hay una teoría según la cual Petruchio y Kate planearon juntos engañar a Lucentio para poder así ganar la apuesta, y que Kate está fingiendo ser sumisa. ¿Tú que crees?

DISCUSS the following statements…. (But don’t argue about them!!)

 “Marriage is an economic institution, even in the 21st century.”  “The way you dress is a type of disguise.”  “One person should always have control in a marriage.”  “Men and women are destined not to understand each other.”

1 keeper = guardián 2 sovereign = soberano 3 to be ashamed = avergonzarse 4 to kneel = arrodillarse 5 to vail your stomachs = frase shakesperiana que quiere decir “olvidar tu orgullo’ 6 token = señal 7 to do him ease = tranquilizarse 12

 Kate “puts on” the role of a dutiful wife as if she’s putting on a dress; underneath she’s still the same Kate.”  “Sometimes it’s good for couples to argue in order to maintain the passion in their relationship.”  “There is no longer any need for FEMINISM; women have achieved equality in today’s society.”

Two final questions:

 At what exact moment do you think Kate was “tamed”?  Who do you think will have the happier marriage: Bianca & Lucentio or Kate & Petruchio?

Glossary – More key vocabulary ashamed = avergonzado/a shame = vergüenza ass = burro, asno sleeve = manga (de vestir) bride = novia sting = aguijón, picadura (de una avispa) convinced = convencido stool = taburete despicable = detestable, despreciable strike (struck- past tense) = golpear, pegar dowry = dote supper-time = hora de cenar dressed = vestido thee = la palabra antigua para YOU fair = hermosa to be resolved = estar decidido fault = defecto (también: culpa) to condradict = contradecir fool = tonto to dare = atrever foolish = insensato, atontado to entreat = rogar garments = ropa de vestir to fear = temer Go to the devil! = ¡Vete al Diablo!, ¡Vete al to feast = festejar (a feast = banquete) infierno! to have a shot = tirar al blanco hugs = abrazos to murder = asesinar insult = insulto to plead = suplicar, rogar kindness = bondad, amabilidad to renounce = renunciar lunatic = loco to spit = escupir mean = malo, cruel to trust = confiar mended = reparado, arreglado to tune (a musical instrument) = afinar renowned = muy conocido, famoso to wed (to marry) = casarse scales (of music) = escala to wive and thrive = casarse y prosperar 13 to woo = cortejar wasp = avispa treasure = tesoro wench = una mujer de verdad (palabra antigua) villain = villano, canalla winner = ganador wager = apuesta womankind = las mujeres en general

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW IN FILM and TELEVISION

Here are some examples …

1. The film “The Taming of the Shrew” was directed by Franco Zeffirelli in 1967 starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. These two actors were married at the time and also had a very tempestuous relationship, just like Kate and Petruchio. (They got married twice and divorced twice.) They wanted to make this film so much together that Taylor and Burton put over a million dollars into the production, and instead of a salary, took a percentage of profits. The film had two Oscar nominations, for Best Costume Design, and Best Art Direction, and it also had two BAFTA Award nominations for Best British Actor (Richard Burton), and Best British Actress (Elizabeth Taylor).

2. This film was made in 1999 by Gil Junger and is a loose adaptation of the Shakespeare play. Called “10 Things I Hate About You”, it was aimed especially at an adolescent audience and starred the late Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. The story was set in modern times in an American high school (secondary school). Julia Stiles plays a feminist student called Kat who always tells people exactly what she thinks of them. Heath Ledger plays a new student at the school (called Patrick Verona) who is also a bit of a rebel. Patrick is paid by two friends to take Kat out on a date. This film is funny and adapts the main plot of Shakespeare’s play very well to modern times. 14 3. A musical version of “the Taming of the Shrew”, with songs and music written by Cole Porter, was a big success on Broadway in the 1950’s. It was called “Kiss Me Kate” and it was filmed in 1953. A lot of Porter’s lyrics were censored for the film version as they were considered to “naughty”. Cole Porter songs include the famous “Too Darn Hot” and “So in Love”. The celluloid version starred Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson, Ann Miller and the wonderful dancer and choreographer, Bob Fosse, who later went on to direct the film, All That Jazz.

4. And finally, there is an excellent TELEVISION version made for the BBC in 2005. Katherine Minola (played by Shirley Henderson) is a successful politician whom many think will become leader of her party. The only problem is is her awful temper which has left her single at 38 years old. As a politician, her colleagues want Katherine to get married to help her chances of winning the general election. So when the eccentric - and poor - Petruchio (played by Rupert Sewell) appears on the scene and declares his intention to marry someone rich, it looks like the answer to all their prayers. Check this link on the TV drama “The Taming of the Shrew” – the BBC version where you can see video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/shakespeare/tamingoftheshrew/