Block Day 3/23 ~ Taming of the Shrew Act 3 & 4

Discuss: Taming ACT III
1. Contrast Bianca’s behavior in this scene with that of previous scenes. How does she seem different?
2. Describe the role of disguise and pretense in this scene.
3. How does Biondello describe Petruchio’s appearance in approaching the wedding? Symbolism?
4. When Baptista entreats Petruchio to change his clothes, what reason does he give for refusing?
5. Describe the first confrontation between Kate and Petruchio as husband  and wife. Who prevails, and how? What do you think of the guests' reaction? 
6. What recounting does Gremio offer of the wedding ceremony? Why might Shakespeare have decided to relay the events through Gremio rather than stage the scene for the audience?
7. What do you make of Petrucio's strange performance during the wedding? What might Shakespeare be saying?


Journal 3: ACT IV
4.1- What purpose is served by the introductory horse scene description?

4.2- How has our understanding of Tranio changed? 
4.3
1.Describe the functions of both food and clothing in this scene.
2. Describe Kate’s spirit. Is she “tamed,” or is she the same as she was when the audience first meets her?

3. Why does Kate accuse Petruchio of making her a puppet? How does Petruchio respond to this accusation?

4. Describe the conversation about the time of day between Kate and Petruchio. What point is Petruchio making?

4.4- Describe the complications and the facade with the Pedant. 
4.5

1. What game with regard to the sun and the moon does Petruchio play with Kate? What is his purpose?

2. Kate is compared both to a “field” (“the field is won”) and to a participant in a game of bowling

(“Thus the bowl should run”). How does each of these comparisons objectify her?

3. How does Petruchio make Vincentio a prop in his taming of Kate? Later, Kate makes an embellished speech instead of merely acknowledging Vincentio is a maiden as Petruchio has said? What might the speech suggest about her?

  4. What effect has Petruchio had on Hortensio?