THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare Our reading opens up with an exchange between Lucentio and his servant Tranio. Lucentio is thrilled at arriving in Padua to study philosophy. Tranio entreats him not to be a bore - to not only concentrate on his studies and give up the fun things in life. I have to chuckle as I write this, because we all know what happens next. Baptista enters with his two daughters, sharp-tongued Katherine and beautiful, sweet tempered Bianca. Bianca has Gremio and Hortensio trailing behind her all googly-eyed, while a man won't get within 10 feet of Katherine. Lucentio sees Bianca and all thoughts of furthering his education go flying out the window. (Obviously he took Tranio's suggestion!) Baptista makes a decision. No one can marry Bianca until Katherine is married. (Did anyone feel a Leah/Rachel vibe?) Did you hear the audible gasp and see the looks that passed between the suitors? Katherine married? Who in the world would take her on? Meanwhile Baptista does allow the furthering of his daughters' education. The light bulb pops up over Lucentio's head. He and Tranio can switch spots, and he will tutor the fair Bianca. There is only one person that could ruin it for him at this stage and that is Biondello, his other servant. But how does he ensure that Biondello will keep the secret? He spins a deceitful tale and Biondello agrees to keep his secret. The scene ends with Sly (from the induction) looking at his (fake) wife and commenting on the play. Couple of extra notes- note the role changing we are experiencing again already. Anybody else want to start addressing everyone in the house as "sirrah?" I know it is hailing a social inferior, but I just like calling it out!

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW - by William Shakespeare Scene 2 begins with Petruchio and his servant Grumio. In my mind, Grumio is a little bit like Amelia Bedelia. He is always getting things twisted around and can't give a straight answer to save his life. For example, Petruchio tells Grumio to "knock me here soundly" which means to knock on the gate. Grumio takes his words literally which results in having his ears twisted! Whose gate are they knocking at? Bianca's suitor Hortensio who is Petruchio's good friend. Tuck that away in your mind. We'll revisit that in a few weeks! So what brings Petruchio to Pudua? Petruchio's father is dead, he is searching for a wife, and to expand his fortune. Hortensio jumps at this. Remember his problem? Bianca cannot be married until Katherine is! He tells Petruchio about Katherine, her sharp tongue and her money. Petruchio is game for the challenge. After all money is involved! I love his answer to the suitors where he tells them he's heard a lion roar, the sea puffed up with winds, heaven's thunder, and on . He ends with his assurance that Katherine's tongue is nothing compared to these things. The suitors marvel at him and agree to pay his courting expenses for what he is about to do. As a last note, Lucentio and Tranio seem to be settling into their new roles well.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare Any of us that have girls have to appreciate how this scene opens. I happen to have 4. We open with a squabble. Now, Katherine does take it too far. She has her sister's hands tied and she ends up slapping her across the face. What are they arguing about? The suitors. Baptista happens upon this skirmish and consoles Bianca. Katherine gives him a good tongue lashing before she exits. Baptista shakes his head unsure of how to handle this latest outburst. BUT then the sky clears and a light beam shines down as Petruchio enters. He asks if Baptista is the father of Katherine "the fair and virtuous. We just have to chuckle a moment after that wench's performance just a few minutes earlier. Baptista admits that he has a daughter named Katherine. His silence on acknowledging her character (or lack there of) is telling. Baptista has to be dumbfounded that someone has shown up to woo Katherine. In the middle of this exchange we have 2 tutors introduced for Katherine and Bianca. Hortensio is Litio and Lucentio is Cambio. Baptista and Petruchio take a stroll together. Baptista shares what Katherine's dowry will be, but warns him of Katherine's sharp tongue. He also says Petruchio must win Katherine's love. Petruchio is up for the challenge. The best part of this scene in my opinion is the exchange between Katherine and Petruchio. She lets him have it, and he takes everything and shoots it back. He tells her that what he heard about her was a lie. She is actually "pleasant" and as "sweet as springtime flowers." He tells her the dowry has been agreed on and whether she likes it or not, he will marry her. When her father enters Petruchio tells her not to deny it. She mutters a bit, but she never outright tells him no. The play doesn't tell us why, but I have to stop and wonder what she's thinking. Is she amazed at the verbal banter he was able to keep up with her on or is she just so happy to have a suitor? Not sure. We are getting a glimpse of his personality, though. He is used to getting what he wants. He won't take no for an answer. Is he a savior or a monster? I know I've already talked a lot about this act, but we have one more thing to cover. This is what I am going to call the auction of Bianca. Katherine is out of the way, so the bidding begins between Tranio as Lucentio and Gremio. (Poor Hortensio isn't even here to be a part.) Tranio wins the bidding as to what he will bring, but it all hinges on Vincentio, Lucentio's father, agreeing to it. Now this deception takes a whole new turn. They need to find someone who will be willing to play the part of Vincentio.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare Scene 1 takes us to Bianca's lessons with Lucentio (as Cambio) and Hortensio ( as Litio). It's all on for these guys now that Katherine is set to marry Petruchio. Lucentio is happily teaching Bianca Latin. As he "translates" the passage to her, he actually is attempting to woo her. Bianca responds back with her uncertainties. Meanwhile, Hortensio wants in on the action. He tunes his instrument and breaks into their discussion ready to have his turn. They shoo him away and tell him to keep tuning. When his time finally does come, he has crafted a scale of sorts but imbedded it with his feelings. Bianca in no uncertain terms tells him she is not interested. From there we go to Petruchio and Katherine's wedding scene. Only our groom has not shown up. Katherine exits weeping, wondering if she's been stood up. Then our groom arrives, and he is a mess. His clothing is not fit for a wedding. His horse is a diseased nag. Baptista tells him he's an "eyesore" and Tranio insists that he change. Petruchio denies him. After all, Katherine is marrying him not his clothing and off he goes. (We go from bad to worse.) Standing before the priest, Petruchio swears and strikes him knocking the poor man over. He grabs his wife and plants the biggest kiss ever. Can you imagine how horrific and embarrassing this entire wedding is? Then, to top it all off, Petruchio refuses to stay for the reception. Acting as if he is protecting her from jealous men, he insists they leave. He announces that Kate is his property now. Gotta love that little speech! Oh, Kate. What have you gotten yourself into?

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.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare Well, the end is in sight on TOTS! In fact next week I will cover ACT 5 and wrap up our play. Today I will announce in a separate post what our next book club pick is and lay out the details!   If you remember from last time Petruchio is trying to bring Katherine under submission the same way he trains his falcons. Unfortunately we are about to see more of this behavior in action. It begins with Grumio, Petruchio's servant, teasing Katherine with different foods and then saying why they wouldn't be fit for her. She is starving and begs for something. Petruchio enters carrying some meat, but when she doesn't immediately thank him, he gives it to Hortensio to consume. Then the tailor enters with clothing he was ordered to make for Katherine to wear on a visit home. The clothing was constructed to the order, and Katherine is very pleased with them. Petruchio finds fault with everything and sends it all away. Katherine recognizes in the exchange that Petruchio is trying to make a "puppet" of her. The tailor leaves, and on his way out Hortensio tells him he will stop by tomorrow and pay him for the clothes. Petruchio tells Katherine they'll just go in their poor garments. Meanwhile, Baptista and "Vincentio" (the merchant) are meeting. The merchant does his part and the two agree to the marriage and dower. Baptista sends Cambio (Lucentio) to tell Bianca that everything is finalized for her marriage to Lucentio. Actually, a plan of elopement is in the works for the real Lucentio and Bianca. Back to Petruchio and Katherine who are traveling back to her family's home. On the way Petruchio is just awful. He calls the sun the moon. When Katherine corrects him, Hortensio quietly advises her to just agree with Petruchio or they will never get to her home. She then says it is the moon to which Petruchio tells her she is lying. On this goes until they run into an older man who is journeying to Padua. It is Lucentio's real father, Vincentio. (Uh-oh!!) Petruchio calls him a maiden to which Katherine corrects him and the circle begins again. They do invite him to journey with them. He accepts and tells them that he is going to visit his son. Petruchio tells him his son is about to marry his wife's sister. Vincentio shocked accuses him of essentially pulling his leg. Petruchio just urges him to come along and see. Thoughts on Petruchio and Katherine's relationship especially considering how we view women's rights today? Anyone a little antsy with the real Vincentio on the scene and the poor merchant caught up in the thick of things? I wonder how the real Lucentio is going to explain himself to Baptista?

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare Alright everyone! Drumroll time! It's time for our last post on The Taming of the Shrew! We start with the secret marriage of Bianca and the real Lucentio. The deed is done, and now all that's left is to come clean from all the deception that has been committed. I hope you found the start of the next part humorous before cringing. The part where the real Vincentio meets the fake Vincentio at the door of Lucentio's home. Can you just imagine the dumbfounded look on the real Vincentio's face as an imposter claims to be him? Then, Biondello, Lucentio's servant that Vincentio knows, says he's never seen him before. Next, Tranio comes on the scene dressed in finery like a Lord, and Vincentio thinks maybe he has completely gone mad or worse yet, maybe the servants have killed his son. He flips out and they call an officer to haul him off to jail. Just as he is about to be carried away, Lucentio appears on the scene and begs his father's forgiveness. The truth comes out. Baptista is upset that Lucentio married his daughter without his permission, but he is guaranteed that all will be set right. Petruchio and Kate witness the whole ordeal and Kate begs to follow the group to see how everything will end up. First, Petruchio demands a kiss in public. Kate is embarrassed and questions the act. Petruchio threatens to take her home unless she kisses him. Thoughts on Petruchio? Hold them, because we aren't done yet! We now have three married couples: Petruchio and Kate, Lucentio and Bianca, and Hortensio and his widow. The three men are gathered together and Petruchio is teased about being married to Kate. They're basically telling him who they think wears the pants in his relationship. Petruchio offers up a bet. One hundred crowns to the man whose wife comes when she is summoned by Biondello. Lucentio sends him to get Bianca first. Biondello comes back with her response that she is busy and can't come. Next Hortensio sends Biondello to bring the Widow. He comes back with her response. Hortensio can come to her. Next is Petruchio's turn. Guess who comes without a word? Katherine. Baptista, her father, can't believe it. He offers 20,000 crowns for this show, but Petruchio tells them all they haven't seen anything yet. He tells Katherine to take her hat off and trample it, and she does! The Widow and Bianca complain about Kate's behavior to which Petruchio commands her to speak to them about their wifely duties. Kate happily launches into a long, lecturing speech about how these women should look at their husbands. Lucentio, Hortensio, and Vincentio congratulate Petruchio and you have to know they are looking at Petruchio with just a bit of jealousy as they go their separate ways. SO who of us still loves Petruchio? Who thinks he didn't know what he was getting into? Who thinks Katherine didn't know what she was getting into? Who speculates she will live in a state of abuse for the rest of her life? Definitely some interesting things to consider as we wrap up this classic book.

WATERSHIP DOWN: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL by Richard Adams. Adapted by James Sturm. Illustrated by Joe Sutphin Watership Down will forever hold a special place in one of my older daughter's hearts. After reading some pretty heavy classics in a row her eighth grade year-Shakespeare, Dr. Jekyll/ Mr.Hyde, and Frankenstein in an online lit class, the heroic rabbit tale of Watership Down was a breath of fresh air even though it was 475 pages long. She feel in love with the story of adventure that a group of rabbits followed. I just finished the graphic novel adaptation, and I, too, was impressed with the story that strikes at the heart of what most of us desire in a good story, honorable characters. I will be reading the full classic with my high schoolers in lit class this coming year. When a notice board appears close to the rabbit warren and Fiver (a small rabbit that receives prophetic revelations) announces to everyone that they must leave immediately because destruction is on its way, a small, unlikely group sets out on an epic journey of relocation. What follows is a tale of heroism, endurance, sacrifice, and so much more as they struggle to find a place to call home. Lives are lost, lives are gained, and through it all a band of friendship and trust forms that transitions these rabbits from acquaintances to brothers. I have to say that Watership Down has a quality about it that makes it feel like a Tolkien book but with rabbits at the heart of the story. I'm sure after I read the book in its entirety I will come back and add to this post.

THE PRISONERS, THE EARTHQUAKE, AND THE MIDNIGHT SONG by Bob Hartman. Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri. The Prisoners, the Earthquake, and the Midnight Song by Bob Hartman is one of my TOP PICKS for this year. The Good Book Company is a publishing house that is on a mission to "encourage you and your church family to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing your faith." They have a wonderful picture book series entitled Tales That Tell the Truth. I picked up a couple of the books in the series. The Prisoners, the Earthquake, and the Midnight Song was one of them. It is fabulous! This marvelous picture book tells the wonderful story of Paul and Silas in the Philippi Jail. It's not told in the traditional way, however. It is told through drawing attention to sounds. The first is of the jailer snoring, the next is of a sound coming out of the jail, but it's not of complaining, it's of singing. (I'll include a picture in the comments!) It is brilliantly done, especially for young children. The book doesn't end with the story of the jailer becoming saved. No, the message continues on as we listen in on all the voices that spread the gospel message in our world today. The last page shows how you can join in by sharing Christ with others as well! Very well done! I look forward to reading more books in the series. Catalina Echeverri's artwork is lots of fun. I especially loved the picture of all the things buried under the prison as the earthquake begins.

RACCOON SUMMER by Betty Vanderwielen Life can be complicated. Lance is learning that no matter which way he turns. First, his parents are divorced, and he's still finding his balance in that situation. Second, his Dad hit a mother raccoon carrying her kit. Lance wants to go back and rescue the baby, but his Dad refuses. When Lance goes back later and finds there's more than one kit left, he needs someone to help him care for these little critters. Third, his Mom, who's a surrogate mother, finds out the baby she's carrying has down syndrome, and the parents might be backing out. Complications everywhere, and even though he tries, Lance can't hide away from them. Raccoon Summer is a great story that deals with a lot of tough topics including the value of life.

ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS by Scott O' Dell We recently completed Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell in my younger elementary lit group. This book is a powerful read on subjects like survival, loss of loved ones, loneliness, and the companionship of animals. Interestingly, it is based on a true story. From 1835-1853 a young woman lived alone on the island of La Isla de San Nicolas not far off the coast of California. Little was ever known about her due to communication barriers. When she was found no one knew the language she spoke and could only communicate with her through signs. O'Dell took what was learned and in 1960 published a book about the woman's time , who he named Karana, on what he called The Island of the Blue Dolphins. This book went on to win the Newberry Medal in 1961. One thing my lit students really enjoyed with this book was a Read-Aloud Poster by Ruby Reads  . I found these at our homeschool convention last year. (I receive no compensation for this! I am only sharing products that I appreciate on our lit journey!) You can see a small portion of the poster in the picture below. Island of the Blue Dolphins is a book that becomes an amazing launching pad for offshoot discussions/research on topics such as geography, plants, wildlife, nationalites, etc. You can truly decide to spend a significant amount of time on all the trails that appear from the chapters. HEADS UP-There is one situation to be aware of. SPOILER ALERT Karana's brother is killed by wild dogs. She finds his body, and it is a gruesome moment.

AHOY! by Sophie Blackall Most of us have fond memories of or are in the days when fond memories are being made of living room creations born of our children's imaginations. I cannot tell you how many days the chairs were gathered together and blankets spread across the top pinned by clothespins to form tents, hideouts, ships, etc. It was absolutely delightful, and I loved it! Sophie Blackall's newest book focuses on such a marvelous happening. This book is tons of fun. A child's imagination is running full throttle, but he's not content to be the only one that is enjoying it. His parent is attempting to vacuum the rug in the living room that is about to become the center of the child's play. There's a storm at sea, and I think most of us can relate to our children pulling us into their adventures as this child attempts to do. What follows is an exciting journey that spans an afternoon between this parent and child. So why the yellow light? HEADS UP- Sophie Blackall gives us zero details as to whether this parent is male or female. (You can see what the parent looks like on the front cover.) I honestly thought this parent was the dad until at the end of the story another parent walks in the front door that also looks like a dad. Whenever I find situations like this, I try to go to the author's comments on what they set out to create. In this case I can't find any. However, other reviewers are calling the first parent "gender neutral "