The Taming of the Shrew Three Act Plot Analysis

Act I

Kate's shrewish behavior has isolated her from her family and she has zero marriage prospects. Petruchio comes to town looking for a rich bride and agrees to marry Kate despite her shrewishness.

Act II

Kate and Petruchio are engaged and quickly married. Petruchio sets out to tame Katherine of her shrewish ways. During their honeymoon, he behaves like a "shrew," ranting, raving, and physically abusing the servants. He also starves Kate, deprives her of sleep, and messes with her head when she refuses to obey him.

Act III

Finally, Kate breaks on the road to Bianca's wedding. She agrees to play along when Petruchio pretends the sun is the moon and an old man is a young virgin. At Bianca's wedding, Kate delivers an impassioned speech about women's duties to their husbands. The couple runs off to bed and they live happily ever after…maybe.