The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis

Petruchio arrives in Padua with his servant Grumio, to see his friend Hortensio. Petruchio tells Grumio, "knock me here" (i.2.8) at Hortensio's gate, meaning knock on the door to announce his arrival. Grumio misunderstands (or pretends to), asking why Petruchio wants him to knock him (that is, hit him). Hortensio enters as Petruchio is angrily hitting his disobedient servant.

Hortensio tells Petruchio to end his quarrel with Grumio and asks what has brought Petruchio to Padua. Petruchio says that his father has passed away and he now seeks a wife. Hortensio asks if he would be interested in a wife that is very wealthy, but a shrew. Petruchio says that all he cares about is finding a wealthy wife, and is eager to meet Katherine. He adds that Baptista knew his father and wants to go see Katherine immediately. Grumio is confident that Petruchio can reform Katherine's bad manners.

Hortensio tells Petruchio that he must accompany him to Baptista's house, since he is in love with Baptista's younger daughter Bianca, whom Baptista refuses to marry off "Till Katherine the curst have got a husband," (i.2.129). He asks Petruchio to present him (in disguise) as a music teacher, so that he can enter the house and be near Bianca.

Gremio enters with Lucentio, who is disguised as a schoolmaster named Cambio. Gremio tells Lucentio to teach Bianca only "books of love," (i.2.147). Lucentio promises to plead for Bianca to marry Gremio while he teaches her.

Hortensio greets Gremio, who tells him that he is on the way to Baptista's house, to bring Cambio to teach Bianca. Hortensio responds that he has found someone to teach Bianca music. He then introduces Gremio to Petruchio, who he says "Will undertake to woo curst Katherine," (i.2.185) for her dowry. Gremio asks if Petruchio is aware of Katherine's faults and wonders if he can "woo this wildcat," (i.2.198). Petruchio is confident that he can.

Tranio enters, disguised as Lucentio, with his servant Biondello. Tranio asks the group how to get to Baptista's house. Hortensio asks if he is a suitor of one of Baptista's daughters. Gremio and Hortensio each protest that Bianca is already theirs. Tranio says that his father knows Baptista, and he is not worried that Bianca has other suitors.

Petruchio informs Tranio that Bianca cannot marry until her older sister, whom he wants as his wife, is married. Tranio agrees with Hortensio that Petruchio's pursuit of Katherine is in all their best interest. Tranio encourages all the others to eat and drink with them as friends, since they share the common goal of having Katherine marry Petruchio.