Comedy, Taming, and Desirability in The Taming of the Shrew

Lesson 12
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ELA

Unit 17

9th Grade

Lesson 12 of 20

Objective


Analyze how Katherine is perceived by other characters and what this reveals about the values, attitudes, and traditions of the time period.

Readings and Materials


  • Play: The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare  — act 1, scene 1, lines 104–203

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does Shakespeare portray the suitors’ attitudes towards Katherine and what does this reveal about the values, attitudes, and traditions of the time period? In your response, cite and analyze specific examples from the text, considering dialogue, diction, and/or figurative language.

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Annotation Focus

What lines, words, and phrases reveal Tranio’s tone towards Kaherine?

What lines, words, and phrases reveal Gremio’s tone towards Katherine?

What lines, words, and phrases reveal Hortensio’s tone towards Katherine?

Scaffolding Questions

What is Gremio and Hortensio’s plan? What language do they use to describe the ideal suitor for Katherine? What does this language reveal about the kind of person who would consider Katherine desirable?

Lucentio and Tranio come up with an elaborate scheme that will enable Lucentio to woo Bianca. What is that scheme? How is it further embellished with the arrival of Biondello?

Discourse Questions

How does Shakespeare portray the suitors’ attitudes towards Katherine and what this reveals about the values, attitudes, and traditions of the time period?

In what ways is Katherine in direct opposition with the values, attitudes, and traditions of the time period? What, ultimately, is the impact of this tension?

Homework


Read and annotate act 1.2 using the following annotation focus.

  • Annotation focus: What are your first impressions of Petruchio’s character?

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Standards


  • LO 1.3B — Analyze how the writer's use of stylistic elements contributes to a work of literature's effects and meaning.
  • RL.9-10.3 — Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Supporting Standards

LO 1.3A
LO 2.3A
LO 2.3B
LO 2.3C
LO 5.1A
LO 5.1B
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.4
SL.9-10.1
W.9-10.2

Next

Analyze Petruchio’s use of language in act 1.2 and how it informs his character and attitude towards different characters. 

Lesson 13
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Lesson Map

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