THE TAMING OF THE SHREW - ACT 4 SCENES 1 AND 2 - WEEK 7

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare

We are getting more of an understanding of Petruchio and who he really is. Grumio tells Curtis (another servant) about the horrible trip home. (Remember Petruchio insisted they all leave right after the wedding.) We learn that Katherine's horse fell with her on it, and she ends up underneath it. Petruchio, instead of helping her, begins beating Grumio. Katherine works her way out and comes to Grumio's aid. Petruchio and Katherine's horses run away. It's a nonstop disaster and we're not done yet. When they arrive home Petruchio rails at his servants about everything. Nothing is done to his liking. He calls them names and hits them. They bring him meat. He claims it is burnt. Katherine tries to intercede on their behalf, but Petruchio won't have it. (Who is the Shrew now?) They don't eat. He tells her there will be more meat tomorrow.

Scene 1 ends with Petruchio sharing with us his plan on the treatment of Katherine. She is no more to him than his falcon. He will starve her and not let her sleep, and through this he will break her "to make her come and know her keeper's call." He calls this behavior "killing with kindness." In our day and age it would be abuse.

Scene 2- Tranio (as Lucentio) and Hortensio are watching Bianca and Cambio (the real Lucentio) as they kiss and talk. Tranio is thrilled because this is what he and Lucentio hoped for. Hortensio throws in the towel and decides to marry a wealthy widow who has declared her love for him.

We close the scene out with a merchant that Biondello has spotted that can play Vincentio (Lucentio's father- remember they need someone to agree to the dowry). Tranio approaches him. When he finds out he is from Mantua Tranio invents a story. He tells the merchant that the Duke from Mantua and the one from Padua are warring with each other. It is death to citizens from one to cross into the other, BUT Tranio can help him. The merchant, freaked out at this point, is ready to agree to anything. He can become Vincentio while he is there. After all they even resemble each other ( to which Biondello side remarks, "about as much as an apple resembles an oyster"). Tranio, as Lucentio, tells him that they are expecting his father to come and to agree to the dowry for the upcoming wedding. He'll instruct him what to say when the time is right. The merchant is in. We have our Vincentio.