Study Questions

1. What does Grumio give to Kate for breakfast?

2. How long has Kate slept on her wedding night?

3. What reason does Petruchio give for rejecting the cap?

4. Does Petruchio accept the gown?

5. When was the last time Kate has eaten?

6. Where did the pedant encounter Baptista twenty years ago?

7. To whom does Baptista think he is giving away his daughter, Bianca?

8. Why does Baptista not make immediate arrangements for Bianca’s dowry once he has met the pedant disguised as Vincentio?

9. How will Lucentio be able to marry Bianca before the public ceremony with Tranio as groom to Bianca?

10. To what two things does Biondello compare Bianca when speaking with Lucentio about her?

Answers

1. He gives her not a morsel.

2. She slept not a wink.

3. First he says it is lewd, filthy, and too small; but then he claims that Kate is not gentle enough to wear it.

4. Not according to this text. Petruchio does pay the tailor, but only in the movie version (with Elizabeth Taylor) does he finally accept the dress after he has sent away the tailor.

5. Presumably on the morning of her wedding, at least 24 hours before Grumio taunts her, though probably much more.

6. The pedant encountered Baptista in Genoa.

7. Baptista thinks he will give Bianca to Tranio, who has assumed the name, clothing and character of Lucentio.

8. Baptista wants to make arrangements in private, not on the street, and fears his servants or Gremio might eavesdrop on their negotiations at his house.

9. Lucentio must take Bianca at night to the old priest at Saint Luke’s Church where they will be married in secret.

10. First he compares her to a book, then more specifically to the appendix of a book.