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William Shakespeare

The Taming of the Shrew: characters

Principal characters

Katherina

Baptista’s outspoken elder daughter, whose resistance to conventional expectations of women drives the central courtship plot.

Relationships

  • Petruchiosuitor and eventual husband
  • Biancayounger sister
  • Baptista Minolafather

Speaks in 8 of 12 scenes

Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Act 5

Looks

Beautiful 4
Young 2
Older sister 2
Elder daughter 1
Loud voice 1
Unattractive 1
Strong and vigorous 1
Called the prettiest Kate in Christendom 1
Light in weight 1
Describes herself as the proper weight 1
Speaks slowly 1
Sweet speech 1
Speaks softly 1
Reportedly walks with a limp 1
Straight and slender 1
Hazelnut-brown complexion 1
Said not to limp 1
Adult, not a child 1
Plain, modest clothing 1
Wears a cap 1
Soft, weak body 1
Smooth skin 1
  • Petruchio
  • Bianca
  • Lucentio

Family and suitors

  • Baptista Minola
  • Hortensio
  • Gremio
  • Vincentio
  • Widow

Servants and other supporting characters

  • Tranio
  • Grumio
  • Biondello
  • Curtis
  • Pedant

Induction

  • Christopher Sly
  • Lord
  • Bartholomew

Access all 17 characters in The Taming of the Shrew

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