Act 5, Scene 1 — The Taming of the Shrew

The argument Lucentio and Bianca elope to the church with Biondello's help. The real Vincentio arrives at Lucentio's supposed lodging and encounters the Pedant impersonating him; Vincentio is accused of madness and nearly arrested. When the real Lucentio returns with Bianca, the identities collapse. Biondello, Tranio, and the Pedant flee. Vincentio is reconciled, and everyone heads to the feast.

Enter on one side Biondello, Lucentio and Bianca; Gremio walking on

other side.

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

Softly and swiftly, sir, for the priest is ready.

LUCENTIO LUCENTIO's moment

I fly, Biondello; but they may chance to need thee at home, therefore

leave us.

I fly, Biondello; but they may chance to need thee at home, therefore leave us.

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

Nay, faith, I’ll see the church o’ your back; and then come back to my

master’s as soon as I can.

Nay, faith, I’ll see the church o’ your back; and then come back to my master’s as soon as I can.

Nay, faith, I’ll see the church o’ your back; and then come back to my...

[_Exeunt Lucentio, Bianca and Biondello._]

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.

"Cambio" Cambio is Lucentio's tutor disguise. Gremio doesn't know that Cambio = Lucentio.

Enter Petruchio, Katherina, Vincentio and Attendants.

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse PETRUCHIO's moment

Sir, here’s the door; this is Lucentio’s house:

My father’s bears more toward the market-place;

Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.

Sir, here’s the door; this is Lucentio’s house: My father’s bears more toward the market-place; Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.

Sir, here’s the door; this is Lucentio’s house: My father’s bears more toward the market-place; Thit...

Sir, here’s the door; this is Lucentio’s house: My father’s bears more toward the market-place;...

VINCENTIO ≋ verse VINCENTIO's moment

You shall not choose but drink before you go.

I think I shall command your welcome here,

And by all likelihood some cheer is toward.

You shall not choose but drink before you go. I think I shall command your welcome here, And by all likelihood some cheer is toward.

You shall not choose but drink before you go. I think I shall command your welcome here, And by all ...

You shall not choose but drink before you go. I think I shall command your...

[_Knocks._]

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

They’re busy within; you were best knock louder.

Enter Pedant above, at a window.

PEDANT PEDANT's moment

What’s he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?

🎭 Dramatic irony The Pedant, confident in his false identity, abuses the real Vincentio. His certainty comes from complete absorption in the lie — he's not playing a role, he's become the role.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?

PEDANT PEDANT's moment

He’s within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two to make merry withal?

PEDANT PEDANT's moment

Keep your hundred pounds to yourself: he shall need none so long as I

live.

Keep your hundred pounds to yourself: he shall need none so long as I live.

Why it matters The Pedant is so confident in his role he's insulting the real Vincentio.

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

Nay, I told you your son was well beloved in Padua. Do you hear, sir?

To leave frivolous circumstances, I pray you tell Signior Lucentio that

his father is come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak with

him.

Nay, I told you your son was well beloved in Padua. Do you hear, sir? To leave frivolous circumstances, I pray you tell Signior Lucentio that his fath...

Nay, I told you your son was well beloved in Padua. Do you hear, sir? To leave frivolous circumstanc...

Nay, I told you your son was well beloved in Padua. Do you hear, sir?...

PEDANT PEDANT's moment

Thou liest: his father is come from Padua, and here looking out at the

window.

Thou liest: his father is come from Padua, and here looking out at the window.

Why it matters The Pedant has accepted the false story so completely he's willing to contradict the truth directly.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Art thou his father?

PEDANT PEDANT's moment

Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her.

[_To Vincentio_] Why, how now, gentleman! why, this is flat knavery to

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

take upon you another man’s name.

Why it matters Vincentio's fury is righteous — he thinks he's discovered a fraud and that Lucentio is guilty of theft.

PEDANT PEDANT's moment

Lay hands on the villain: I believe a means to cozen somebody in this

city under my countenance.

Lay hands on the villain: I believe a means to cozen somebody in this city under my countenance.

Why it matters The Pedant has been so thoroughly convinced by Tranio's story that he now accuses the real Vincentio of being the fraud.

Re-enter Biondello.

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

I have seen them in the church together: God send ’em good shipping!

But who is here? Mine old master, Vincentio! Now we are undone and

brought to nothing.

I have seen them in the church together: God send ’em good shipping! But who is here? Mine old master, Vincentio! Now we are undone and brought to not...

I have seen them in the church together: God send ’em good shipping! But who is here? Mine old maste...

I have seen them in the church together: God send ’em good shipping! But who...

Why it matters Biondello realizes in one instant that the con has collided with reality — the real Vincentio has arrived.

[_Seeing Biondello._] Come hither, crack-hemp.

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

I hope I may choose, sir.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Come hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot me?

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

Forgot you! No, sir: I could not forget you, for I never saw you before

in all my life.

Forgot you! No, sir: I could not forget you, for I never saw you before in all my life.

Why it matters Biondello is lying to save himself, but he's doing it to the man he's served for months — the betrayal is complete.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

What, you notorious villain! didst thou never see thy master’s father,

Vincentio?

What, you notorious villain! didst thou never see thy master’s father, Vincentio?

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

What, my old worshipful old master? Yes, marry, sir; see where he looks

out of the window.

What, my old worshipful old master? Yes, marry, sir; see where he looks out of the window.

Why it matters Biondello points at the Pedant as a way to deny Vincentio — it's a desperate gambit that accidentally becomes proof of the con.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Is’t so, indeed?

[_He beats Biondello._]

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

Help, help, help! here’s a madman will murder me.

[_Exit._]

PEDANT PEDANT's moment

Help, son! help, Signior Baptista!

[_Exit from the window._]

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

Prithee, Kate, let’s stand aside and see the end of this controversy.

[_They retire._]

Re-enter Pedant, below; Baptista, Tranio and Servants.

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant?

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

What am I, sir! nay, what are you, sir? O immortal gods! O fine

villain! A silken doublet, a velvet hose, a scarlet cloak, and a

copatain hat! O, I am undone! I am undone! While I play the good

husband at home, my son and my servant spend all at the university.

What am I, sir! nay, what are you, sir? O immortal gods! O fine villain! A silken doublet, a velvet hose, a scarlet cloak, and a copatain hat! O, I am...

What am I, sir! nay, what are you, sir? O immortal gods! O fine villain! A silken doublet, a velvet ...

What am I, sir! nay, what are you, sir? O immortal gods! O fine villain!...

"copatain hat" A tall fashionable hat worn by dandies — a mark of extravagance and foolish luxury to Vincentio.

Why it matters Vincentio's fury reveals his real worry: his son has become a fashionable wastrel. The identity con is less infuriating to him than evidence of his son's dissipation.

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

How now! what’s the matter?

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

What, is the man lunatic?

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words

show you a madman. Why, sir, what ’cerns it you if I wear pearl and

gold? I thank my good father, I am able to maintain it.

Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words show you a madman. Why, sir, what ’cerns it you if I wear pearl and gold? I than...

Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words show you a madman. Why, sir, w...

Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words show you...

Why it matters Tranio turns the tables — he'll accuse Vincentio of madness, using respectability against him.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Thy father! O villain! he is a sailmaker in Bergamo.

Why it matters Vincentio reveals what he knows about Tranio's real identity — but no one believes him.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

You mistake, sir; you mistake, sir. Pray, what do you think is his

name?

You mistake, sir; you mistake, sir. Pray, what do you think is his name?

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

His name! As if I knew not his name! I have brought him up ever since

he was three years old, and his name is Tranio.

His name! As if I knew not his name! I have brought him up ever since he was three years old, and his name is Tranio.

His name! As if I knew not his name! I have brought him up ever since he was three years old, and hi...

His name! As if I knew not his name! I have brought him up ever...

Why it matters Vincentio is testifying to true paternity — but it means nothing when everyone believes the false story more.

PEDANT PEDANT's moment

Away, away, mad ass! His name is Lucentio; and he is mine only son, and

heir to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio.

Away, away, mad ass! His name is Lucentio; and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio.

Away, away, mad ass! His name is Lucentio; and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Sig...

Away, away, mad ass! His name is Lucentio; and he is mine only son, and...

Why it matters The Pedant is playing Vincentio so confidently he can assert these facts as self-evident.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold on him, I charge

you, in the Duke’s name. O, my son, my son! Tell me, thou villain,

where is my son, Lucentio?

Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold on him, I charge you, in the Duke’s name. O, my son, my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is my son...

Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold on him, I charge you, in the Duke’s name. O, my s...

Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold on him, I charge you, in...

Why it matters Vincentio's panic escalates — he now thinks his son is dead, a victim of the fraud.

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Call forth an officer.

Enter one with an Officer.

Carry this mad knave to the gaol. Father Baptista, I charge you see

that he be forthcoming.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Carry me to the gaol!

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

Stay, officer; he shall not go to prison.

Why it matters Gremio is the only one who actually notices the truth — but he's too weak to push back.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Talk not, Signior Gremio; I say he shall go to prison.

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched in this business;

I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.

Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched in this business; I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.

Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched in this business; I dare swear this is the rig...

Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched in this business; I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.

PEDANT PEDANT's moment

Swear if thou darest.

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

Nay, I dare not swear it.

Why it matters Even Gremio, who suspects the truth, is too intimidated by social pressure to insist.

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Away with the dotard! to the gaol with him!

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Thus strangers may be haled and abus’d: O monstrous villain!

Why it matters Vincentio's last words are about hospitality violated — the theme of a stranger treated as a criminal in a foreign place.

Re-enter Biondello, with Lucentio and Bianca.

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

O! we are spoiled; and yonder he is: deny him, forswear him, or else we

are all undone.

O! we are spoiled; and yonder he is: deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.

Why it matters Biondello enters in panic — he's seen Lucentio and Bianca at the church, confirming the marriage, and now the lies are collapsing.

[_Kneeling._] Pardon, sweet father.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Lives my sweetest son?

Why it matters Vincentio's joy at seeing Lucentio alive supersedes his anger — his fear for his son's life was the real issue.

[_Biondello, Tranio and Pedant run out._]

[_Kneeling._] Pardon, dear father.

BAPTISTA ≋ verse BAPTISTA's moment

How hast thou offended?

Where is Lucentio?

How hast thou offended? Where is Lucentio?

LUCENTIO ≋ verse LUCENTIO's moment

Here’s Lucentio,

Right son to the right Vincentio;

That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,

While counterfeit supposes blear’d thine eyne.

Here’s Lucentio, Right son to the right Vincentio; That have by marriage made thy daughter mine, While counterfeit supposes blear’d thine eyne.

Here’s Lucentio, Right son to the right Vincentio; That have by marriage made thy daughter mine, Whi...

Here’s Lucentio, Right son to the right Vincentio; That have by marriage made thy daughter...

"counterfeit supposes" A pun on 'suppose' — to assume a false identity. The entire subplot is built on false suppositions that have finally collapsed.

Why it matters Lucentio's confession is honest and straightforward — he's not hiding, because his love for Bianca makes the marriage real regardless of the con.

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

Here ’s packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!

VINCENTIO ≋ verse VINCENTIO's moment

Where is that damned villain, Tranio,

That fac’d and brav’d me in this matter so?

Where is that damned villain, Tranio, That fac’d and brav’d me in this matter so?

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?

Why it matters Baptista finally understands the layers of deception — Cambio was Lucentio, the tutor was the young man.

BIANCA BIANCA's moment

Cambio is chang’d into Lucentio.

LUCENTIO ≋ verse LUCENTIO's moment

Love wrought these miracles. Bianca’s love

Made me exchange my state with Tranio,

While he did bear my countenance in the town;

And happily I have arriv’d at the last

Unto the wished haven of my bliss.

What Tranio did, myself enforc’d him to;

Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.

Love wrought these miracles. Bianca’s love Made me exchange my state with Tranio, While he did bear my countenance in the town; And happily I have arr...

Love wrought these miracles. Bianca’s love Made me exchange my state with Tranio, While he did bear ...

Love wrought these miracles. Bianca’s love Made me exchange my state with Tranio, While he...

Why it matters Lucentio takes full responsibility and frames the deception as a love story, not a crime. His honesty and the reality of his marriage defuse the anger.

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

I’ll slit the villain’s nose that would have sent me to the gaol.

Why it matters Vincentio's violence is still real, but his anger is now legitimate and specific — he's been wronged.

[_To Lucentio._] But do you hear, sir? Have you married my daughter

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

without asking my good will?

VINCENTIO VINCENTIO's moment

Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to: but I will in, to be

revenged for this villainy.

Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to: but I will in, to be revenged for this villainy.

[_Exit._]

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

And I to sound the depth of this knavery.

[_Exit._]

LUCENTIO LUCENTIO's moment

Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown.

[_Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca._]

GREMIO ≋ verse GREMIO's moment

My cake is dough, but I’ll in among the rest;

Out of hope of all but my share of the feast.

My cake is dough, but I’ll in among the rest; Out of hope of all but my share of the feast.

My cake is dough, but I’ll in among the rest; Out of hope of all...

Why it matters Gremio, who lost the marriage gamble, is consoling himself with practical appetite — a nice note of humanity.

[_Exit._]

Petruchio and Katherina advance.

KATHERINA KATHERINA's moment

Husband, let’s follow to see the end of this ado.

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

First kiss me, Kate, and we will.

Why it matters Even at the moment of chaos, Petruchio is testing Katherina's obedience — and getting it.

KATHERINA KATHERINA's moment

What! in the midst of the street?

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

What! art thou ashamed of me?

Why it matters Petruchio still dominates through the threat of withdrawal — one more test Katherina must pass.

KATHERINA KATHERINA's moment

No, sir; God forbid; but ashamed to kiss.

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

Why, then, let’s home again. Come, sirrah, let’s away.

Why it matters Petruchio uses withdrawal as control — she must give in or lose him.

KATHERINA KATHERINA's moment

Nay, I will give thee a kiss: now pray thee, love, stay.

Why it matters Katherina has internalized the hierarchy so completely that the fear of his leaving is worse than public embarrassment.

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse PETRUCHIO's moment

Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate:

Better once than never, for never too late.

Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate: Better once than never, for never too late.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

This is the catastrophe of the Tranio-Pedant subplot, and it works entirely through collision: two Vincentios in the same space, two identities claiming to be true. The scene is kinetic — rapid accusation, mistaken identity, violence (beating Biondello), flight, reconciliation. The tone lurches from farce to cruelty to relief. Biondello and Tranio get away; Vincentio is angry but satisfied; Lucentio proves his love is real. The subplot exits as it should: with lying exposed and real love vindicated.

If this happened today…

A fake hiring manager is conducting interviews using a stolen executive's credentials. The real executive walks in. Chaos. They mistake him for a fraud. He demands legal action. Then the actual hire walks in with their real resume and the legitimate hiring paperwork — and everyone suddenly sees that the con was a cover for real love, not theft.

Continue to 5.2 →