Act 4, Scene 4 — The Taming of the Shrew

The argument Tranio's scheme reaches its climax as the fake Vincentio meets Baptista, an elopement is set in motion, and Biondello reveals to Lucentio that a priest at Saint Luke's stands ready.

Enter Tranio and the Pedant dressed like Vincentio

TRANIO [brisk, setting the con in motion]

Sir, this is the house; please it you that I call?

Sir, this is the house; should I knock for you?

Alright, here's the place. You want me to knock?

this is it should i knock?

PEDANT ≋ verse [reciting his rehearsed false story]

Ay, what else? and, but I be deceived,

Signior Baptista may remember me,

Near twenty years ago in Genoa,

Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus.

Yes, of course. And unless I'm very mistaken, Signior Baptista may remember me from about twenty years ago when we were in Genoa, where we both stayed at the Pegasus inn.

Sure, knock away. And unless I'm wrong, Baptista might remember me from back in Genoa, like twenty years ago. We both stayed at that inn called the Pegasus.

yeah probably remembers me from genoa, like 20 yrs ago we stayed at pegasus together

TRANIO ≋ verse [coaching him to hold the role]

’Tis well; and hold your own, in any case,

With such austerity as ’longeth to a father.

That's good; and keep your composure whatever happens, with the serious manner appropriate to a father.

Good, just act serious and fatherly. Keep it together and don't crack.

stay serious act like a father

PEDANT ≋ verse [anxious, wanting Biondello briefed too]

I warrant you. But, sir, here comes your boy;

’Twere good he were school’d.

I promise you that. But sir, here comes your boy; it would be good if he were coached.

Don't worry, I'll pull it off. But listen, here comes your boy. We should probably brief him first.

he's coming we should coach him

Enter Biondello.

TRANIO ≋ verse [confidently giving Biondello his orders]

Fear you not him. Sirrah Biondello,

Now do your duty throughly, I advise you.

Imagine ’twere the right Vincentio.

Don't worry about him. Biondello, Now do your job properly, I'm telling you. Pretend he's the real Vincentio.

Don't sweat it. Biondello, listen up. Do exactly what I told you. Just act like this guy is the real deal.

he's cool biondello do ur job right this is vincentio

BIONDELLO [cocky, relishing the mischief]

Tut! fear not me.

Don't worry about me.

Relax, I got this.

im good

TRANIO [checking the details are set]

But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista?

But have you completed your errand to Baptista?

So did you actually go talk to Baptista like I asked?

did u talk to baptista?

BIONDELLO ≋ verse [reporting back efficiently]

I told him that your father was at Venice,

And that you look’d for him this day in Padua.

I told him that your father was in Venice, and that you were expecting him here in Padua today.

Yeah, I told him your dad's in Venice and that you're waiting for him to show up here in Padua.

i told him your dad's in venice expecting him here today

TRANIO ≋ verse [praising Biondello, then snapping alert]

Th’art a tall fellow; hold thee that to drink.

Here comes Baptista. Set your countenance, sir.

You're a good fellow; here, take this money for a drink. Here comes Baptista. Watch your expression, sir.

Good work. Here, get yourself a drink on me. And here comes Baptista now, so keep that serious face on.

nice work here's cash baptista's coming keep it together

Enter Baptista and Lucentio.

TRANIO [smoothly greeting his mark with false confidence]

Signior Baptista, you are happily met.

Signior Baptista, I'm glad to see you.

Signior Baptista, great to run into you.

hey baptista good 2 see u

TRANIO ≋ verse [urgently coaching the pedant through the con]

[_To the Pedant_] Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of;

I pray you stand good father to me now;

Give me Bianca for my patrimony.

Sir, this is the gentleman I told you about. I ask you to be a good father to me now. Give me Bianca as my inheritance.

Sir, this is the guy I mentioned. Act like my father now. Let me have Bianca as my inheritance.

this guy / be my dad / give me bianca

PEDANT ≋ verse [performing paternal warmth to sell the lie]

Soft, son!

Sir, by your leave: having come to Padua

To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio

Made me acquainted with a weighty cause

Of love between your daughter and himself:

And,—for the good report I hear of you,

And for the love he beareth to your daughter,

And she to him,—to stay him not too long,

I am content, in a good father’s care,

To have him match’d; and, if you please to like

No worse than I, upon some agreement

Me shall you find ready and willing

With one consent to have her so bestow’d;

For curious I cannot be with you,

Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well.

Hold on, son! Sir, if you'll excuse me: I came to Padua to collect some debts, and my son Lucentio told me about something important—a love between your daughter and himself. Given the good things I hear about you and the love he has for your daughter and she has for him, to avoid delaying things, I'm willing, as a good father, to have him married to her. And if you're satisfied with no less than I am, then upon some agreement, you'll find me ready and willing to have her married with everyone's consent. I can't be difficult with you, Signior Baptista, of whom I hear such good reports.

Wait a minute, son! Sir, if I may: I came to Padua to collect some debts, and my son Lucentio told me he's in love with your daughter and she's in love with him. I've heard good things about you, and since they love each other, I'm happy to let them get married. If you're okay with it like I am, we can work out the details and I'm ready to give my consent. I don't want to be difficult with you, Baptista—I've only heard good things about you.

im here to collect debts my son loves your daughter shes in love with him i heard good things about you im ok with them marrying lets work out the details

🎭 Dramatic irony The Pedant performs Vincentio convincingly enough to satisfy Baptista — but the real Vincentio is already traveling toward Padua, arriving in 4-5. The audience who has seen that scene knows the collision is coming.

BAPTISTA ≋ verse [cautiously pleased, laying down terms]

Sir, pardon me in what I have to say.

Your plainness and your shortness please me well.

Right true it is your son Lucentio here

Doth love my daughter, and she loveth him,

Or both dissemble deeply their affections;

And therefore, if you say no more than this,

That like a father you will deal with him,

And pass my daughter a sufficient dower,

The match is made, and all is done:

Your son shall have my daughter with consent.

Sir, forgive me in what I'm about to say. Your frankness and your directness please me well. It's absolutely true that your son Lucentio loves my daughter, and she loves him, or they both are hiding their feelings very well. And therefore, if you say nothing more than this— that like a father you'll treat him fairly, and give my daughter a sufficient dowry— the match is made, and everything is settled. Your son shall have my daughter with my full consent.

Look, I want to be honest with you. I appreciate how straightforward you are. Your son Lucentio definitely loves my daughter, and she loves him—or they're both great actors. Anyway, if all you're saying is that you'll treat him right and give a decent dowry, then we have a deal. Your son can have my daughter.

your frankness is refreshing lucentio loves bianca she loves him if u treat him right & give dowry we're good deal's done

TRANIO ≋ verse [eager to seal the deal fast]

I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best

We be affied, and such assurance ta’en

As shall with either part’s agreement stand?

I thank you, sir. Where do you think we should best be formally engaged, and arrange the proper legal assurance that will satisfy both parties?

Thanks, sir. So where should we handle the paperwork and get everything officially set up? Where works best for you?

thx where should we do the official stuff get it in writing

BAPTISTA ≋ verse [wary of eavesdroppers like Gremio]

Not in my house, Lucentio, for you know

Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants;

Besides, old Gremio is hearkening still,

And happily we might be interrupted.

Not at my house, Lucentio, because you know walls have ears, and I have many servants. Besides, old Gremio is listening to everything, and we might easily be interrupted.

Not my place, Lucentio. Too many ears around—I've got servants everywhere. Plus Gremio's always eavesdropping, and we'll just keep getting interrupted.

not my house too many ppl listening gremio's a snoop

"Pitchers have ears" A proverb: containers (and servants) overhear things they shouldn't. Baptista is worried that news of the secret betrothal will spread before it's official.

TRANIO ≋ verse [quickly improvising a new plan]

Then at my lodging, and it like you:

There doth my father lie; and there this night

We’ll pass the business privately and well.

Send for your daughter by your servant here;

My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently.

The worst is this, that at so slender warning

You are like to have a thin and slender pittance.

Then at my lodging, if you're willing. There my father is staying, and there tonight we'll conduct the business privately and properly. Send for your daughter through your servant here. My boy will fetch the clerk immediately. The problem is, with such short notice, you might end up with a thin and meager wedding feast.

We could do it at my place then. My father's staying with me, and we can handle everything quietly tonight. Just send your daughter when you're ready, and I'll get the clerk. Fair warning though—with such short notice, the party won't be fancy.

my place tonight send bianca when ready i'll get the clerk warning: thin wedding feast

BAPTISTA ≋ verse [pleased, sending glad news to Bianca]

It likes me well. Cambio, hie you home,

And bid Bianca make her ready straight;

And, if you will, tell what hath happened:

Lucentio’s father is arriv’d in Padua,

And how she’s like to be Lucentio’s wife.

I'm pleased with that. Cambio, go home quickly, and tell Bianca to get ready right away. And if you want, tell her what's happened: Lucentio's father has arrived in Padua, and how she's going to be Lucentio's wife.

That works for me. Cambio, head home and tell Bianca to get ready fast. You can let her know what's going on—that Lucentio's dad showed up and they're getting married.

go home tell bianca to get ready lucentio's dad's here she's getting married

LUCENTIO [fervently hoping his own plan succeeds]

I pray the gods she may, with all my heart!

I hope to the gods she will, with all my heart!

I really hope she will, honestly. With all my heart.

god i hope so

TRANIO ≋ verse [hustling him off before he slips]

Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.

Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way?

Welcome! One mess is like to be your cheer;

Come, sir; we will better it in Pisa.

Don't waste time with prayers, just go. Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way? Welcome! The meal here might not be much, but we'll make it better when we're in Pisa.

Stop praying and get going. Baptista, you want me to lead the way? Welcome! The food here's not great, but we'll give you a real feast when we get back to Pisa.

stop talking go i'll lead the way food's not great but better in pisa

BAPTISTA [content, following along amiably]

I follow you.

[_Exeunt Tranio, Pedant and Baptista._]

BIONDELLO [bursting in with excited news]

Cambio!

LUCENTIO [alert, sensing important news]

What say’st thou, Biondello?

What are you saying, Biondello?

What are you talking about, Biondello?

what're u saying?

BIONDELLO [teasingly building the suspense]

You saw my master wink and laugh upon you?

Did you see my master wink and laugh at you?

Did you see my boss wink and laugh right at you?

did u see tranio wink & laugh at u?

LUCENTIO [impatient for him to get on]

Biondello, what of that?

Biondello, what does that matter?

What's that supposed to mean?

so what?

BIONDELLO [playfully drawing out the reveal]

Faith, nothing; but has left me here behind to expound the meaning or

moral of his signs and tokens.

Honestly, nothing; but he's left me here to explain the meaning or the interpretation of his winks and signals.

Well, nothing really. He just left me here to translate all his mysterious winks and signals for you.

he left me to explain what his winks mean

LUCENTIO [urging him to explain plainly]

I pray thee moralize them.

I beg you, explain them for me.

Go ahead then, what does it all mean?

ok so what is it

BIONDELLO [relishing the con's cleverness]

Then thus: Baptista is safe, talking with the deceiving father of a

deceitful son.

Well then: Baptista is safe, talking with the lying father of a deceptive son.

Here's what it means: Baptista is having a conversation with a fake father pretending to be who he's not.

baptista's talking to a fake dad of a lying son

LUCENTIO [eager to hear the rest]

And what of him?

And what about that?

OK, and then?

and?

BIONDELLO [laying out the next step]

His daughter is to be brought by you to the supper.

You're the one escorting his daughter to the dinner.

You're supposed to bring his daughter to dinner.

you bring his daughter to dinner

LUCENTIO [expectant, hanging on every word]

And then?

BIONDELLO [supplying the practical detail]

The old priest at Saint Luke’s church is at your command at all hours.

The old priest at Saint Luke's church is ready for you at any time.

The priest at Saint Luke's is standing by whenever you need him.

priest at st luke's waiting for u

LUCENTIO [still puzzling out the plan]

And what of all this?

And what's the significance of all that?

OK, so what's the point of all this?

why are u telling me this

BIONDELLO [urging him to seize the moment]

I cannot tell, except they are busied about a counterfeit assurance.

Take your assurance of her, _cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum_; to

the church! take the priest, clerk, and some sufficient honest

witnesses. If this be not that you look for, I have more to say, But

bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day.

I can't tell you what that means, except that they're busy arranging a fake marriage agreement. Get your legal arrangement with her confirmed; to the church! Get the priest, the clerk, and some honest witnesses. If this isn't what you're looking for, I have more to say. But say goodbye to Bianca forever and a day.

I can't explain it exactly, but they're setting up some kind of fake legal thing. What you need to do is get to the church with witnesses and a clerk and make it official. That's the real move. Otherwise, kiss Bianca goodbye.

they're faking it get to church with witnesses make it official or lose bianca forever

"cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum" Latin — 'with the exclusive right to print' — a legal term from the book trade meaning sole rights. Biondello is saying: marry her with full exclusive rights, like a printing monopoly. The legal joke is pointed.

[_Going._]

LUCENTIO [calling him back for more]

Hear’st thou, Biondello?

Are you listening, Biondello?

You hearing me, Biondello?

u listening?

BIONDELLO [hurried, comic farewell]

I cannot tarry: I knew a wench married in an afternoon as she went to

the garden for parsley to stuff a rabbit; and so may you, sir; and so

adieu, sir. My master hath appointed me to go to Saint Luke’s to bid

the priest be ready to come against you come with your appendix.

I can't stay: I knew a girl who got married in an afternoon just while she was going to the garden to get parsley to stuff a rabbit. You could do the same, sir. Goodbye. My master has ordered me to go to Saint Luke's to tell the priest to be ready to come when you arrive with your marriage certificate.

I gotta go. I knew a girl who got married in an afternoon—literally just ran out to get some parsley for cooking and ended up married. You could do the same. Bye. My master wants me to go to Saint Luke's and tell the priest to get ready, so when you show up with the paperwork, everything's set.

i gotta go i knew a girl married in one afternoon while getting herbs thats how fast it can be im going to tell the priest be ready

[_Exit._]

LUCENTIO ≋ verse [resolved to go through with it]

I may, and will, if she be so contented.

She will be pleas’d; then wherefore should I doubt?

Hap what hap may, I’ll roundly go about her;

It shall go hard if Cambio go without her:

I can, and I will, if she's willing. She'll be pleased; so why should I doubt? Whatever happens, I'll go about it boldly; It will go hard if I don't manage to have her.

If she wants me, I'll marry her. She's definitely into it, so why would I worry? Whatever it takes, I'm going to make this happen.

if she wants me i will she's into it i'm gonna make this happen

[_Exit._]

The Reckoning

This is pure plot machinery, but it moves fast and runs on the energy of a plan about to execute — successfully or not. The fake Vincentio is convincing, Baptista is satisfied, and Biondello's rapid-fire briefing to Lucentio at the end has the velocity of someone about to jump off a bridge with the parachute they hope they packed correctly.

If this happened today…

The moment before a heist closes: the forger is playing the mark's father convincingly, the paperwork looks good, the mark is happy, and now someone is whispering the last-minute logistics — priest is waiting, forty-minute window, go now. Everyone knows the con works only if nobody checks the actual ID. Nobody checks.

Continue to 4.5 →