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### **The Taming of the Shrew** – 15-Minute Adaptation (Expanded with Female Characters and
Comedy)
**CHARACTERS:**
- **Katherina** (Kate) ( the daughter of Baptista Minola, with whom she lives in Padua. She is
sharp-tongued, quick-tempered, and prone to violence, particularly against anyone who tries to
marry her. Her hostility toward suitors particularly distresses her father. )
- **Petruchio** ( a gentleman who comes to Padua from Verona seeking a wife. He is loud,
stubborn, and boisterous—in some ways a male version of Katherine. )
- **Bianca** (Kate’s younger sister) meek, agreeable, and beautiful the youngest daughter of
Baptista. She is known in Padua for her beauty and mild nature.
- **Baptista** (Kate and Bianca’s father) one of the wealthiest men in Padua, and his daughters
become the prey of many suitors due to the substantial dowries he can offer. He is good-
natured, if a bit superficial.
- **Lucentio** (Bianca’s suitor) the son of a wealthy Florentine gentleman, (a romantic idealist),
who falls madly in love with Bianca upon first sight.
- **Hortensio** (Bianca’s former suitor, Petruchio’s friend) intelligent and wants to marry bianca
- **Gremio** (Bianca’s elderly suitor) a version of the pantalone, an Italian stock character whose
comic profile includes advanced age, miserly concern for his wealth, a scheming and crafty
nature susceptibile to being fooled, and a creepy tendency to…
- **Grumio** (Petruchio’s servant) Petruccio's servant and sidekick, He is like a licensed court
jester, who tells the truth about and to his master.
- **Biondello** (Lucentio’s servant)
- **Sofia** (Katherina’s maid, a comic female servant)
- **Rosalinda** (Bianca’s maid, comic female servant)
---
### **ACT 1, SCENE 1**
*The play opens with Baptista declaring that no one may marry Bianca until Katherina is wed. Lucentio,
Hortensio, Gremio, and Bianca’s maid Rosalinda stand by, reacting humorously to the situation.*
**BAPTISTA**
Gentlemen, understand this clearly: Bianca will not marry until her elder sister, Katherina, has found a
husband. That’s my final word!
**GREMIO**
Husband? Who on earth would marry Katherina? She’d rather tear a man apart than say "I do"!
**HORTENSIO**
I agree. I’d sooner tame a wild lion! What say you, Rosalinda? Could anyone survive courting her?
**ROSALINDA**
(playfully)
Only if he’s deaf to insults and can dodge whatever she throws his way! He’ll need a suit of armor just to
survive dinner.
*(Everyone laughs except for Bianca, who sighs heavily.)*
**BIANCA**
Father, must I really wait so long for love? It’s so unfair that my life is tied to my sister’s!
**ROSALINDA**
(to Bianca, with a smirk)
Maybe you should take matters into your own hands, mistress. A little push here and there, and who
knows? Katherina might find a suitor after all!
*(The suitors laugh again, and Bianca blushes at Rosalinda’s cheeky suggestion.)*
---
### **ACT 2, SCENE 1**
*Petruchio arrives, eager to meet Katherina. He is accompanied by his clumsy servant, Grumio. They are
greeted by Hortensio, who introduces him to Sofia, Katherina’s sharp-tongued maid.*
**PETRUCHIO**
Good day, Hortensio! I’ve heard there’s a lady here named Katherina, and I come to woo her.
**HORTENSIO**
Ah, you’ve heard right, but "lady" may not be the word I’d use. Sofia here knows her well—perhaps she
can give you a glimpse of what you’re in for.
**SOFIA**
(Laughing)
A glimpse? You don’t need a glimpse—you need a shield! Katherina’s got a temper like a storm, and she
strikes just as fast. But by all means, try if you must!
**GRUMIO**
(to Petruchio)
Master, I’ve seen storms. I’d rather be caught in one than deal with this Katherina!
**PETRUCHIO**
(to Sofia, amused)
Ah, good maid, with a sharp tongue like yours, you must be Katherina’s sister!
**SOFIA**
(Rolling her eyes)
Not by blood, thank heaven. If I were, I’d have run far away by now.
**HORTENSIO**
Be careful, Petruchio. If Sofia’s words don’t scare you off, meeting Katherina surely will. She bites harder
than anyone here can warn you about.
**PETRUCHIO**
Good! I’ve tamed lions and wrestled bears. A little fire from a woman doesn’t frighten me. Let me meet
her at once!
*(Just as Petruchio speaks, Katherina storms in, having overheard the conversation.)*
---
### **ACT 2, SCENE 2**
*Petruchio and Katherina have their first heated exchange. Sofia and Grumio watch from the side,
commenting comically as Katherina tries to scare Petruchio away, but he refuses to back down.*
**KATHERINA**
You dare come to woo me? I’d sooner marry a stone!
**PETRUCHIO**
A stone? Then I’ll carve it into a beautiful statue, and before I’m done, you’ll be smiling for me.
**KATHERINA**
(Smiling despite herself)
I don’t smile for fools! I’ll break you first!
**PETRUCHIO**
Ah, but I love a challenge. Go ahead, break me if you can. I’ll keep coming back until you’re mine.
**SOFIA**
(Aside to Grumio)
He’s either brave or mad. My money’s on mad.
**GRUMIO**
(Laughing)
Mad, without a doubt. And we’re the ones caught in the middle!
*(Katherina grows more frustrated and throws a plate at Petruchio, who catches it mid-air. The suitors
and maids are impressed by his boldness.)*
**PETRUCHIO**
Come now, we are to be wed this Sunday. Wear your finest temper! I’m looking forward to it.
---
### **ACT 3, SCENE 1**
*Bianca and Lucentio meet in secret, with Rosalinda helping them avoid detection. There’s tension as
they try to avoid being caught by Baptista.*
**LUCENTIO**
Dearest Bianca, how much longer must we hide in the shadows like thieves? My heart can’t bear this
much longer.
**BIANCA**
We must, until my sister is wed. But don’t worry—Katherina will soon have a husband, and then we can
be together.
**ROSALINDA**
(Smirking)
And if she doesn’t, I’ll find a way to sneak you two down the aisle, even if it means tying Katherina up
myself!
*(They share a laugh, but Rosalinda quickly turns serious as she hears Baptista approaching.)*
**ROSALINDA**
Quick! Behind the curtains, both of you! Just like last time.
*(Lucentio and Bianca awkwardly hide as Baptista enters, oblivious to the chaos around him.)*
**BAPTISTA**
Rosalinda, have you seen my daughters?
**ROSALINDA**
Oh, they’re quite busy, sir. Very… occupied at the moment.
*(As soon as Baptista exits, the lovers pop out from their hiding spot, laughing with relief.)*
---
### **ACT 4, SCENE 1**
*Petruchio and Katherina arrive at his home, where he begins his absurd "taming." Sofia constantly
mocks his methods while Katherina grows more frustrated.*
**PETRUCHIO**
I do this out of love, sweet Kate. I deny you rest, food, and warmth to tame your fiery spirit. Soon, you’ll
thank me.
**KATHERINA**
Thank you? You’re mad! You treat me like a prisoner, not a wife!
**SOFIA**
(Aside)
He’d tame a horse faster with a carrot. This "taming" is bound to end in disaster.
**GRUMIO**
(Holding food)
I’d bring her food if I could. But until she "learns patience," I’m told, no one eats!
**PETRUCHIO**
It’s for your own good, Kate. Soon you’ll be gentle, like a lamb.
**KATHERINA**
(Throwing a pillow at him)
Here’s your lamb, Petruchio! Catch!
*(Sofia catches the pillow and hands it back to Katherina with a wink.)*
**SOFIA**
You missed! Try again, my lady.
---
### **ACT 5, SCENE 1**
*The climax. Petruchio, Katherina, Bianca, Lucentio, Gremio, and Hortensio gather at Bianca’s wedding.
The men wager on whose wife is most obedient, while Sofia and Rosalinda provide comedic
commentary.*
**PETRUCHIO**
I wager fifty crowns that Katherina, my sweet Kate, is the most obedient wife here.
**HORTENSIO**
(Looking at Bianca)
My wife will answer first, surely. She’s as gentle as a dove.
**GREMIO**
And mine, though she be older, will not fail me!
*(The men send for their wives. Bianca and Hortensio’s wives refuse to come, but to everyone’s shock,
Katherina enters obediently.)*
**KATHERINA**
What is your will, my lord?
*(The crowd gasps. Sofia and Rosalinda exchange glances in disbelief.)*
**SOFIA**
Did she hit her head? Is this really the same Katherina?
**ROSALINDA**
Or has Petruchio actually worked a miracle? It’s unbelievable!
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