Gender and Power in The Taming of the Shrew

Lesson 19
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ELA

Unit 5

9th Grade

Lesson 19 of 29

Objective


Analyze Petruchio's behavior and his impact on Katherine.

Readings and Materials


  • Play: The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare  — Act 4, Scene 3

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

As discussed, Katherine does not have much of a voice in this scene. Write a diary entry from Katherine's point of view in which she explains how she is feeling in general and about Petruchio's behavior in this scene in particular. Use your understanding of Katherine's character at the beginning of the play as well as her speech and behavior in 4.3 to provide additional insight into her silence.

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

What does Katherine's opening monologue in lines 2–16 reveal about her current condition and her relationship with Petruchio? Provide specific examples from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

What taming techniques does Petruchio use against Katherine in this scene? Provide specific examples from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

How does Katherine respond to Petruchio's behavior? What does this reveal about how she has changed since the start of the play? Provide specific examples from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

Vocabulary


Text-based

spite

n.

a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone (4. 3. 2)

entreat

v.

to ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something (4. 3. 7)

lewd

adj.

low, vulgar (4. 3. 69)

paltry

adj.

(of an amount) small or meager (4. 3. 86–87)

bauble

n.

a small, showy trinket or decoration (4. 3. 86–87)

Homework


Read the summary of 4. 4. Then read Act 4, Scene 5.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How does Petruchio test Katherine at the opening of the scene?

  • What does Petruchio threaten to do if Katherine does not agree with whatever he says?

  • Who do they encounter on the road to Padua? What is the dramatic irony here, given what we know from Scene 4?

  • What do they tell Vincentio?

  • What has Hortensio learned at the end of the scene?

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Standards


  • 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.
  • W.9-10.3 — Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

Supporting Standards

L.9-10.1
L.9-10.6
RL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.9

Next

Analyze the dialogue between Petruchio and Katherine and what it reveals about the changing power dynamic in their relationship.

Lesson 20
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Lesson Map

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