The Taming of the Shrew Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. Why does Shakespeare structure The Taming of the Shrew as a frame play (a play-within-a-play)? How would the play be different if it did not include the Christopher Sly plot in the Induction scenes?
  2. What would the play look like if the roles were reversed and it was a story about the taming of a husband?
  3. Does the play seem to endorse the way women are treated by the male characters, or does it mock and criticize unfair attitudes toward women? Some combination of both? What textual evidence is there to support your answer to this question?
  4. How should we interpret the tone of Kate's final speech in the play? Is she sincere? Sarcastic? Beaten down? How would you stage this scene if you were a director?