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

2. The Pedant claims to have bills for money by exchange from where in Act IV, Scene II?

3. Whom does Baptista tell to take the bridegroom’s place at the dinner table at the end of Act III?

4. Biondello claims that a Pedant or what is coming down the hill in Act IV, Scene II?

5. What term from Act III, Scene II refers to a close-fitting jacket or short coat, usually sleeveless, as worn in the 16th and 17th centuries?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the Haberdasher and Tailor arrive at Petruchio’s house in Act IV, Scene III?

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

3. How does Petruchio describe his treatment of his bride in the end of Act IV, Scene I?

4. Where do Petruchio and Katharina arrive in Act IV, Scene I? How is Petruchio’s behavior characterized?

5. What schemes do Tranio and Lucentio reveal in Act III, Scene II?

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

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

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

9. How does Petruchio treat Katharina differently than the other characters in the play?

10. How does Baptista respond to Petruchio’s appearance in Act III, Scene II? Why?

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

Analyze and discuss the characters of Christopher Sly, the Lord, the Hostess, and the Servants in the Induction. How is Sly’s appearance described? How wealthy is the Lord, and what is his home like? What are the objectives of each of these characters?

Essay Topic 3

Define “motif” in drama and literature and discuss the motif of marriage in The Taming of the Shrew. Of what importance was marriage for women during this time period? Upon what principles were marriages based? How do the characters in the play feel about marriage?

(see the answer keys)

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