Let's Make a Scene : The Taming of the Shrew: The 30-Minute Shakespeare. Script 2022 07 28

Hey all!


Here is the script for Let's Make a Scene: The Taming of the Shrew!

I will attach it as a Word doc and a text doc,

and also paste it below.

You can read the script printed out or on a tablet while we do the Zoom reading!

(Here is the Zoom link for the Let's Make a Scene: Thursday July 28 7 PM EST)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82970638505?pwd=aUpuMmFkcjJiY1ZXMHEwZC9xK25kZz09


Look at the small download links underneath to download Text or Word copy)


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By the way, here is your FREE PDF of the full 30-Minute version (with lots of fun and silly stage directions)


Your 

reward! (To download: look below the PDF for the tiny blue-lettered download link)



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And Here is the Let's Make a Scene script (no stage directions) pasted!:


Characters in the Play

 

The following is a list of characters that appear in this cutting of The Taming of the Shrew.

 

Lucentio: Suitor to Bianca, later disguised as the teacher Cambio 

Tranio: Servant to Lucentio 

Baptista: Father to Katherine and Bianca 

Gremio: Suitor to Bianca 

Katherine: Baptista’s elder daughter 

Bianca: Baptista’s younger daughter 

Petruchio: Suitor to Katherine 

Grumio: Servant to Petruchio 

Hortensio: Suitor to Bianca, later disguised as the teacher Litio 

Biondello: Servant to Lucentio

Widow servants chorus members narrator 

 

Scene 1  (act I, Scene 1)

 

Padua, the town square.

 

Lucentio

 

Tranio, my trusty servant, To see fair Padua.

I am arrived.

But stay awhile! What company is this?

 

Tranio

 

Master, some show to welcome us to town.

 

Baptista (to Gremio and Hortensio)

Gentlemen, I firmly am resolved not to bestow my youngest daughter Before I have a husband for the elder. If either of you both love Katherine

Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.

 

Gremio 

 

She’s too rough for me.

 

Katherine (to Baptista)

 

Is it your will to make a stale of me amongst these mates?

 

Hortensio

 

No mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mold.

 

Katherine (to Hortensio)

 

Her care should be to comb your noddle with a three-legged stool.

 

Hortensio

 

From all such devils, good Lord, deliver us! 

Gremio

 

And me too, good Lord.

 

Tranio (aside to Lucentio)

 

That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.

 

Lucentio (aside to Tranio, gazing at Bianca)

 

But in the other’s silence do I see Maid’s mild behavior and sobriety. Peace, Tranio.

 

Tranio (aside to Lucentio)

 

Well said, master, and gaze your fill.

 

Baptista 

 

Bianca, get you in.

 

Katherine

 

A pretty peat!

 

Bianca

 

Sister, content you in my discontent. Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe.

 

Baptista

 

Katherine, you may stay, For I have more to commune with Bianca.

 

Katherine

 

I may go too, may I not? Ha!

 

Gremio

 

You may go to the devil’s dam!

 

Hortensio

 

There’s small choice in rotten apples. By helping Baptista’s eldest daughter to a husband we set his youngest free for a husband. Sweet Bianca!

He that runs fastest gets the ring.

How say you, Signior Gremio?

 

Gremio

 

I am agreed. Come on.

 

Tranio

 

I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible That love should of a sudden take such hold? 

 

Lucentio 

 

Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move, And with her breath she did perfume the air.

 

Tranio(to audience)

Nay, then ’tis time to stir him from his trance.

(To Lucentio)

I pray, awake, sir!

Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd That till the father rid his hands of her, Master, your love must live a maid at home.

 

Lucentio

 

But art thou not advised he took some care To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?

 

Tranio (thinking)

 

Ay, marry, am I, sir—and now ’tis plotted! You will be schoolmaster And undertake the teaching of the maid. Take my colored hat and cloak.

 

Scene 2. (Act I, Scene 2)

 

Padua, the town square.

 

Petruchio (to Grumio)

 

Verona, for a while I take my leave To see in Padua

My best beloved friend, Hortensio. Here, sirrah Grumio, knock, I say.

 

Grumio

 

Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there any man has rebused your Worship?

 

Petruchio

 

Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.

 

Grumio

 

Knock you here, sir?

 

Petruchio

 

Villain, I say, knock me at this gate And rap me well, or I’ll knock your knave’s pate.

 

Grumio (to audience, complaining) My master is grown quarrelsome.

 

 

Hortensio

 

How now! My old friend Grumio! and my good friend Petruchio! What happy gale Blows you to Padua

here from old Verona?

 

Petruchio

 

Hortensio, I have thrust myself into this maze, Happily to wive and thrive, as best I may.

 

Hortensio

 

Petruchio, shall I then wish thee to a shrewd ill-favored wife?

And yet I’ll promise thee she shall be rich.

 

Petruchio

 

Signior Hortensio, if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio’s wife Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love, makes an

ugly face were she as rough as are the swelling Adriatic seas 

I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua.

 

Grumio (to Hortensio)

 

Why, give him gold enough and marry him to an old trot with ne’er a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as two-and-fifty horses.

 

Hortensio

 

I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife With wealth enough, and young and beauteous, Her only fault Is that she is intolerable curst, And shrewd, and froward, so beyond all measure, I would not wed her for a mine of gold.

 

Petruchio

 

Hortensio, peace. Thou know’st not gold’s effect.

I will board her, though she chide as loud As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack. 

 

Hortensio

 

Her name is Katherina Minola,

Renowned in Padua for her scolding tongue.

 

Petruchio

 

I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her.

 

Hortensio 

 

Tarry, Petruchio. I must go with thee, For in Baptista’s keep my treasure is. His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca.

Therefore this order hath Baptista ta’en, That none shall have access unto Bianca till Katherine the curst have got a husband.

 

Hortensio

 

Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace And offer me disguised in sober robes To old Baptista as a schoolmaster Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca,

That so I may, by this device at least, 

Have leave and leisure to make love to her.

 

Scene 3 (Act II, Scene 1)

 

Padua, at the home of Baptista .

 

Bianca

 

Good sister, wrong me not, Unbind my hands, I’ll pull them off myself, Or what you will command me will I do, So well I know my duty to my elders.

 

Katherine

 

Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell Whom thou lov’st best.

 

Bianca

 

I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands.

 

Baptista (to Katherine)

 

For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit!

 

Baptista

 

What, in my sight?—Bianca, get thee in. 

 

Katherine

 

What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see She is your treasure, she must have a husband, I must dance barefoot on her wedding day And, for your love to her, lead apes in hell.

 

Baptista

 

Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I? But who comes here?

God save you, gentleman.

 

Petruchio

 

And you, good sir. Pray, have you not a daughter Called Katherina, fair and virtuous?

 

Baptista

 

I have a daughter, sir, called Katherina.

 

Petruchio

 

I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, That hearing of her beauty and her wit, Am bold to show myself a forward guest Within your house Petruchio is my name.

Tell me, if I get your daughter’s love, What dowry shall I have with her to wife?

 

Baptista

 

After my death, the one half of my lands, And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns.

 

Petruchio

 

I tell you, father, I am as peremptory as she proud-minded; And where two raging fires meet together, They do consume the thing that feeds their fury. So I to her and so she yields to me, For I am rough and woo not like a babe.

O, how I long to have some chat with her!

 

Baptista

 

Shall I send my daughter Kate to you?

 

Petruchio

 

I pray you do. I’ll attend her here,

And woo her with some spirit when she comes! Say that she rail, why then I’ll tell her plain She sings as sweetly as a nightingale.

Say that she frown, I’ll say she looks as clear As morning roses newly washed with dew.

But here she comes—and now, Petruchio, speak.

 

Petruchio 

 

Good morrow, Kate, for that’s your name, I hear.

 

Katherine

 

Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing. They call me Katherine that do talk of me.

 

Petruchio

 

You lie, in faith, for you are called plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst. But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, and therefore, Kate,

Hearing thy mildness praised in every town, Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded

Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife.

 

Katherine

 

“Moved,” in good time! Let him that moved you hither Remove you hence.

I knew you at the first You were a movable.

 

Petruchio 

 

Why, what’s a movable?

 

Katherine

 

A joint stool.

 

Petruchio

 

Thou hast hit it. Come, sit on me.

 

Katherine

 

Asses are made to bear, and so are you.

 

Petruchio

 

Women are made to bear, and so are you.

 

Come, come, you wasp! I’ faith, you are too angry.

 

Katherine

 

If I be waspish, best beware my sting.

 

Petruchio 

 

Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? In his tail.

 

Katherine

 

In his tongue. 

 

Petruchio

 

Whose tongue?

 

Katherine

 

Yours, if you talk of tales, and so farewell.

 

Petruchio

 

What, with my tongue in your tail?

 

Nay, come again, good Kate. I am a gentleman.

 

Katherine

 

That I’ll try.

 

Petruchio

 

I swear I’ll cuff you if you strike again.

 

Katherine

 

So may you lose your arms If you strike me, you are no gentleman, And if no gentleman, why then no arms.

 

Petruchio

 

A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books. 

 

Katherine

 

What is your crest? A coxcomb?

 

Petruchio

 

A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen.

 

Katherine

 

No cock of mine. You crow too like a craven.

Let me go. 

 

Petruchio

 

No, not a whit. I find you passing gentle.

’Twas told me you were rough, and coy, and sullen, And now I find report a very liar.

For thou art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous, But slow in speech

yet sweet as springtime flowers. 

 

Katherine

 

Where did you study all this goodly speech?

 

Petruchio

 

It is extempore, from my mother wit.

 

Katherine

 

A witty mother, witless else her son.

 

Petruchio

 

Am I not wise?

 

Katherine

 

Yes, keep you warm.

 

Petruchio

 

Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed. And, will you, nill you, I will marry you.

For I am he am born to tame you, Kate, And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate Conformable as other household Kates.

Give me thy hand, Kate. I will unto Venice.

We will have rings, and things, and fine array, And kiss me, Kate. We will be married o’ Sunday.

 

Scene 4. (Act III, Scene 1)

 

Padua, at the home of Baptista .

 

Narrator

 

In an effort to win Bianca’s hand, Lucentio disguises himself as a Latin teacher named Cambio. Hortensio disguises himself as a music teacher named Litio.

Clever!

Bianca

 

Why, gentlemen, you do me double wrong To strive for that which resteth in my choice. I’ll learn my lessons as I please myself.

And, to cut off all strife, here sit we down.

(To Hortensio) 

Take you your instrument, play you the whiles; His lecture will be done ere you have tuned.

 

Lucentio (aside)

 

That will be never: (to Hortensio) 

Tune your instrument.

 

Bianca (to Lucentio)

 

Where left we last?

 

Lucentio

 

Here, madam. 

 

Lucentio

 

“Hic ibat,” as I told you before, I am Lucentio, “hic est,” son unto Vincentio of Pisa,

disguised thus to get your love, “Hic steterat,” and that Lucentio that comes a-wooing.

 

Hortensio 

 

Madam, ’tis now in tune.

 

Bianca (to Lucentio)

 

In time I may believe, yet I mistrust. 

 

Hortensio (to Lucentio)

 

You may go walk, and give me leave awhile.

Lucentio

 

Well, I must wait (aside) And watch withal, for, but I be deceived, Our fine musician groweth amorous.

 

Hortensio

 

Madam, before you touch the instrument, Yet read the gamut of Hortensio.

Bianca (reading)

“Do” I am, the ground of all accord:

“re,” to plead Hortensio’s passion; “mi,” Bianca, take him for thy lord, “fa” that loves with all affection; Call you this “gamut”? Tut, I like it not.

Old fashions please me best. I am not so nice To change true rules for odd inventions. Tomorrow is my sister’s wedding day. Farewell, sweet masters both. I must be gone.

 

Lucentio

 

Faith, mistress, then I have no cause to stay.

 

Scene 5. (act III Scene 2)

 

Padua, in front of the Church.

 

Baptista (to Tranio)

 

This is the ’pointed day That Katherine and Petruchio should be married,

And yet we hear not of our son-in-law?

 

Katherine 

 

I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,

Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior, Now must the world point at poor Katherine And say “Lo, there is mad Petruchio’s wife, If it would please him come and marry her!”

 

Biondello

 

Why, Petruchio is coming

in a new hat and an old jerkin,

a pair of old breeches thrice turned,

a pair of boots, one buckled, another laced,

an old rusty sword with a broken hilt, and a woman’s crupper of velour.

A monster, a very monster in apparel.

 

Petruchio (looking around)

 

But where is Kate? Where is my lovely bride? (to Baptista) How does my father? Gentles, methinks you frown.

 

Baptista

 

Why, sir, you know this is your wedding day. First were we sad, fearing you would not come, Now sadder that you come An eyesore to our solemn festival.

 

Petruchio

 

Sufficeth I am come to keep my word, But where is Kate? ’Tis time we were at church. To me she’s married, not unto my clothes.

 

Tranio

 

Signior Gremio, came you from the church?

 

Gremio

 

As willingly as e’er I came from school.

 

Tranio

 

And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

 

Gremio

 

Why, he’s a devil, a devil, a very fiend.

 

Tranio

 

Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.

 

Gremio

 

Such a mad marriage never was before! Hark, hark, I hear the minstrels play.

 

Petruchio

 

Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains. I know you have prepared great store of wedding cheer, But I mean to take my leave.

I thank you all, That have beheld me give away myself To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife.

 

Katherine 

 

Now, if you love me, stay.

 

Petruchio

 

Grumio, my horse.

 

Grumio

 

Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the horses.

 

Katherine 

 

Nay, then, Do what thou canst, I will not go today. The door is open, sir. There lies your way.

 

Petruchio

 

Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret; I will be master of what is mine own.

She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything.

And here she stands, touch her whoever dare.

 

Baptista

 

Nay, let them go. A couple of quiet ones!

 

Gremio (laughing)

 

I should die with laughing.

 

Tranio (also laughing)

 

Of all mad matches never was the like.

 

Lucentio

 

Mistress, what’s your opinion of your sister?

 

Bianca

 

That being mad herself, she’s madly mated.

 

Gremio

 

I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.

 

Scene 6. (act IV, Scene 1)

 

Padua, the home of Petruchio

 

Petruchio

 

Where be these knaves? What, no man at door To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse?

 

Servant 

 

Here, sir.

 

Petruchio

 

Where is the foolish knave I sent before?

 

Grumio

 

Here, sir, as foolish as I was before.

 

Petruchio 

 

You peasant swain, you whoreson malt-horse drudge!

Did I not bid thee meet me in the park And bring along these rascal knaves with thee? Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in! 

(sings) Where is the life that late I led? Sit down, Kate, and welcome.

Why, when, I say?—Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry. Off with my boots, you rogues, you villains! When?

Out, you rogues! You pluck my foot awry.

Take that!

Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?

Come, Kate, and wash.

You whoreson villains, will you let it fall?

 

Katherine 

 

Patience, I pray you, ’twas a fault unwilling.

 

Petruchio

 

A whoreson beetle-headed flap-eared knave! Come, Kate, sit down. I know you have a stomach. What’s this? Mutton?

 

Servant

 

Ay.

 

Petruchio

 

’Tis burnt, and so is all the meat. There, take it to you, trenchers,

You heedless joltheads.

 

Katherine 

 

I pray you, husband, The meat was well.

 

Petruchio

 

I tell thee, Kate, ’twas burnt and dried away, And for this night we’ll fast for company. Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.

 

Grumio (to Servant)

 

Didst ever see the like?

 

Servant 

 

He kills her in her own humor!

 

Petruchio

 

Thus have I politicly begun my reign.

She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat.

Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not. This is a way to kill a wife with kindness.

And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humor. He that knows better how to tame a shrew, Now let him speak; ’tis charity to shew.

 

Scene 7. (act V, Scene 2)

 

Padua, the home of Lucentio.

 

Lucentio

 

At last, though long, our jarring notes agree And time it is when raging war is done To smile at ’scapes and perils overblown.

My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome, While I with selfsame kindness welcome thine. Brother Petruchio, sister Katherina, And thou, Hortensio, with thy loving widow, Feast with the best, and welcome to my house.

 

Baptista

 

Now, in good sadness, son Petruchio, I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all.

 

Petruchio

 

Well, I say no. And therefore, for assurance, Let’s each one send unto his wife,

And he whose wife is most obedient To come at first when he doth send for her Shall win the wager which we will propose.

 

Hortensio

 

Content, what’s the wager?

 

Lucentio

 

A hundred crowns.

 

Hortensio

 

Content.

 

Petruchio

 

A match! ’Tis done.

 

Lucentio (to Biondello)

 

Go, Biondello, bid your mistress come to me.

 

Biondello

 

I go.

 

Lucentio

 

How now, what news?

 

Biondello (to Lucentio)

 

Sir, my mistress sends you word That she is busy, and she cannot come.

 

Petruchio (laughing, mocking)

 

How? “She’s busy, and she cannot come”? Is that an answer?

 

Gremio

 

Ay, and a kind one, too.

 

Pray God, sir, your wife send you not a worse.

 

Hortensio

 

Sirrah Biondello, go and entreat my wife To come to me forthwith.

 

 

Hortensio(haltingly, stuttering)

 

Now, where’s my wife?

 

Biondello

 

She says you have some goodly jest in hand. She will not come. She bids you come to her.

 

All laugh, mocking horTeNsio, who is embarrassed and

 

flustered.

 

Petruchio 

 

Worse and worse. She will not come! O vile, intolerable, not to be endured! Sirrah Grumio, go to your mistress, Say I command her come to me.

 

Katherine

 

What is your will, sir, that you send for me?

 

Baptista

 

Now fair befall thee, good Petruchio! For she is changed as she had never been.

 

Petruchio

 

Nay, I will show more sign of her obedience, Her new-built virtue and obedience. Katherine, that cap of yours becomes you not. Off with that bauble, throw it underfoot.

 

[Katherine obeys and throws the cap under her own foot, grinding it into the ground.]

 

Bianca

 

Fie, what a foolish duty call you this?

 

Lucentio

 

I would your duty were as foolish too.

 

The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca, Hath cost me a hundred crowns since suppertime.

 

Bianca

 

The more fool you for laying on my duty.

 

Petruchio

 

Katherine, I charge thee tell these headstrong women What duty they do owe their lords and husbands.

 

Widow

 

Come, come. You’re mocking. We will have no telling. 

 

Katherine

 

Fie, fie! Unknit that threat’ning unkind brow, And dart not scornful glances from those eyes To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor.

Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee, Such duty as the subject owes the prince, Even such a woman oweth to her husband; I am ashamed that women are so simple But that our soft conditions and our hearts Should well agree with our external parts?

Come, come, you froward and unable worms!

My mind hath been as big as one of yours, My heart as great, my reason haply more, To bandy word for word and frown for frown; But now I see our lances are but straws, Our strength as weak, our weakness past compare, That seeming to be most which we indeed least are. Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot, And place your hands below your husband’s foot; In token of which duty, if he please, My hand is ready, may it do him ease.

 

[Katherine puts her hand down on the ground, and Petruchio

puts his foot gently on it.]

 

Petruchio

 

Why, there’s a wench! Come on, and kiss me, Kate!

All

 

We all have come to play a pleasant comedy Seeing too much sadness hath congealed your blood, Therefore we thought it good you hear a play Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life!

 

All hold hands and take a bow!

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