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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. Who says after Petruchio and Katharina’s departure in Act III, Scene II, “Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing”?

2. Whose “dagger was not come from sheathing” according to Grumio in Act IV, Scene I?

3. After Petruchio and Katharina exit in Act III, Scene II, Baptista says, “Nay, let them go, a couple of” what?

4. What word from Act III, Scene II refers to a movable article of personal property?

5. Hortensio claims that he will marry a wealthy widow before how many days pass in Act IV, Scene II?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you characterize the Pedant in Act IV?

2. How is the character of Grumio characterized in the play? What is Grumio’s relationship to language?

3. How does Katharina respond to Petruchio’s delay at the wedding in Act III, Scene II?

4. How is the theme of appearance and reality illustrated in Act III?

5. How does Petruchio appear when he arrives at the wedding in Act III, Scene II? Why?

6. What conversation takes place between Tranio, Lucentio, and Bianca in Act IV, Scene II?

7. How does Tranio convince the Pedant to agree to his disguise in Act IV, Scene IV?

8. What does Gremio reveal of the wedding in Act III, Scene II?

9. What disagreement takes place about the time of day in Act IV, Scene III?

10. Characterize the relationship between Katharina and Petruchio in the narrative. How is their relationship commonly approached in performance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the characters of Hortensio and Gremio in the play. How wealthy are each of these suitors? Does Baptista show preference of one suitor over the other for his daughter’s hand in marriage? Why or why not?

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

Discuss Petruchio’s plans for dealing with Katharina before their first meeting. Do you think Petruchio is adequately forewarned of Katharina’s abusiveness? Why or why not? What does Petruchio’s confidence reveal about his character?

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