The Taming of the Shrew - Blog #2

"Gentlemen, importune me no farther,
For how I firmly am resolved you know--
That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter
Before I have a husband for the elder.
If either of you both love Katherina,
Because I know you well and love you well
Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure."
1.1.48-54

This passage, spoken by Baptista, is very important because it illustrates one of the central conflicts of the play. Baptista, who is the father of Katherine and Bianca, will not allow Bianca to marry until Katherine, the older of the two sisters, can find a husband. However, Bianca is a more desirable wife than Katherine, who is stingy and rude. This conflict drives the plot of the play because it affects the actions of many of the characters. Lucentio, Gremio, and Hortensio all wish to marry Bianca, but must all come up with alternate solutions when thrown this obstacle.

The problem posed in the above passage will help to develop the characterizations of Taming's main characters. Much will be revealed about them as the play goes on. For example, Lucentio's desire to get rid of his identity and take up a new persona tells much about him and shows us that he is willing to go to great heights in pursuit of Bianca. Gremio and Hortensio's alliance shows how they are willing to put their rivalry aside in order to overcome an obstacle. Baptista's firm and decided tone in the passage show that he is not going to relent, so the plot and the characterizations of the play will definitely continue to build and develop around this problem.