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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Petruchio’s line “Con tutto il cuore, ben trovato” translate to in English?

2. What does the First Servant offer to Christopher Sly after he awakens in the Lord’s bedchamber in Scene II of the Induction?

3. Speaking in soliloquy, Petruchio states in Act II, Scene I, “Say she be mute and will not speak a word; / Then I'll commend her” what?

4. What word from the stage directions in Scene II of the Induction refers to instruments or accessories?

5. In Act II, Scene I, Petruchio says of Katharina, “She is not hot, but temperate as” what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What plot do Lucentio and Tranio concoct in Act I, Scene I? What is their objective with this scheme?

2. What matter of business does Baptista attend to after agreeing to Katharina’s marriage in Act II?

3. What characters (in disguise) are introduced in Act I, Scene II?

4. What is an “induction”? What is the subject of the Induction in The Taming of the Shrew?

5. How does Petruchio respond to Baptista’s stipulations in Act II, Scene I?

6. How does Petruchio respond to Hortensio’s warning in Act I, Scene II? What plan do these friends develop?

7. How does the character of Petruchio feel about social conventions?

8. How does the theme of disguise and role-playing apply to the Induction?

9. What possible causes are illustrated for Katharina’s personality traits in Act II?

10. Where are Lucentio and Tranio traveling in Act I, Scene I? What conversation do they overhear in this scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the characters of Petruchio and Grumio in the narrative. What brings Petruchio to Padua? Who is Petruchio’s friend? What plan does Petruchio develop in order to meet Katharina? How does Petruchio agree to help Hortensio in his plot to get closer to Bianca?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the importance of dowers and dowries in the marriage contracts of sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe. How accurate is Shakespeare’s depiction in the play? What is the dowry agreed upon for Katharina? How much does Petruchio offer as a dower?

Essay Topic 3

Define and discuss character “action” and “objective” in literature and drama. What is Petruchio’s objective in Act II? What actions does he take in order to achieve that objective? How does Petruchio use “reverse psychology” to achieve his goals?

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