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The Taming of the Shrew Study Guide

by William Shakespeare

The Taming of the Shrew study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The Taming of the Shrew is in fact a play within a play. The larger framework involves a drunkard named Christopher Sly, who stumbles out of an inn and falls into a deep sleep. A Lord passing by notices Sly and decides to play a trick on him. Sly is carried to the Lord's bedchamber and decked in lavish attire. When he awakes, the Lord's attendants refer to him as to a nobleman. The Lord's Page plays the part of the wife, overjoyed to see that her husband has finally recovered from a dire fifteen-year illness due to which he had been under the impression he was a beggar. A troupe of actors have stopped at the Lord's house to put on a performance, and they unwittingly become part of the ruse as well. Sly, after some protest, decides he must…

Read the full The Taming of the Shrew Summary

• The Taming of the Shrew Summary
• About The Taming of the Shrew
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of The Induction
• Summary and Analysis of Act I
• Summary and Analysis of Act II
• Summary and Analysis of Act III
• Summary and Analysis of Act IV
• Summary and Analysis of Act V
• W.H. Auden's Lecture on Taming of the Shrew and The Great Dictator: A Response
• Related Links on The Taming of the Shrew
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The Taming of the Shrew: Major Themes
• The Taming of the Shrew: Essays
• The Taming of the Shrew: E-Text
• The Taming of the Shrew: Questions
• The Taming of the Shrew: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• William Shakespeare: Biography