Taming of the Shrew Response Journal - LSHS

Taming of the Shrew Response JournalDirections: Each of the bold headings represents a separate journal entry. Read the daily assignment. Each entrymust be no less than 1 page for all parts. Label each entry by day number. Label each part within the entry. Respondto all parts of each question in complete sentences. If you are absent from class, you will be responsible forcompleting the reading and journal entry.Day 1 PrereadingPart I.Answer all parts of each of the following questions in complete sentences, numberingeach reply.1. What have you read by Shakespeare? Was it easy or difficult? Why?2. Elaborate on why… what do you mean?3. Why do you think he is so well-respected that his plays are on every high schoolreading list and most universities offer several courses on his works?4. What do you think is meant by a ‘universal’ story?5. What do you feel are the components of a good comedy story? (Think about moviesyou have seen, television shows you watch.) Cite specific examples from media.6. Is there such a thing as ‘love at first sight? Explain your answer.7. Who has it easier, guys or girls? Defend your position.Part II. Look at the front and back cover of the book. Skim through each act and scene of theplay. Answer all parts of each question in complete sentences, number each reply.1. What can you guess about the play by looking at the book? (Be specific, providedetails, explain your answers.)2. What makes you want to read this play? What questions do you have?3. What makes you not want to read this play? How will you overcome this?Day 2 (Induction. Scenes 1 & 2. pgs. 1-12/7-27)Part I. Summarize the two scenes of the Induction in your own words. Cite specific referencesto the text to illustrate where the characters discuss the action you describe. List act,scene and line number. (Example: Christopher Sly tells the hostess that he cannot pay hisbill (Induc. I, 9) and she goes to the Constable (Induc. I, 11)Part II. What are your views on love and marriage? How do you view the roles of women andmen in love relationships? Who should ask whom to get married? Out on a date? Islove necessary for marriage?Day 3 (Act I. Scene 1. pgs. 12-22/31-49)Part I. Summarize the first scene of Act I in your own words. Cite specific references to the textto illustrate where the characters discuss the action you describe. List act, scene and linenumber.Part II. Is there such a thing as love at first sight? Explain.Day 4 (Act I. Scene 2. pgs. 22-32/49-69)Part I. Summarize the second scene of Act I in your own words. Cite specific references to thetext to illustrate where the characters discuss the action you describe. List act, scene andline number.Part II. What kind of guy is Petruchio? How do you know? Is this a sexist play? How do youknow?Part III. If you were making a film production of Taming of the Shrew, whom would you cast asKate? Bianca? Petruchio? Lucentio? Why? Say something about these characters thatshows who they are.Day 5 (Act II. Scene 1. pgs. 33-49/73-105)Part I. Summarize Act II in your own words. Cite specific references to the text to illustratewhere the characters discuss the action you describe. List act, scene and line number.Part II. In what ways does Kate attack Bianca? How does Bianca respond? What does this tell usabout the characters? Do you think Kate and Petruchio enjoy their first meeting? Whyor why not? What evidence can you give to support the view that Kate and Petruchio arewell-matched, even though they spar verbally and appear to be hostile to one anotherwhen they first meet? Is Petruchio attracted to Kate, or is he merely interested in herbecause she is wealthy? When he gives Baptista an account of Kate’s behavior, Petruchio

is not entirely honest. Analyze the speech that begins, “Be patient gentlemen, I chooseher for myself,” and show how Petruchio is both clever and ironic in what he says.Day 6 (Act III. Scenes 1-2. pgs. 51-63/109-135)Part I. Summarize Act III in your own words. Cite specific references to the text to illustratewhere the characters discuss the action you describe. List act, scene and line number.Part II. After reading Kate’s speech (III, 2, 8-20), how much sympathy do you think the othercharacters feel towards her at this point? Read Biondello’s description of Petruchio’sarrival at the wedding (III, 2, 42-63). Write a modern equivalent about the bridegroomarriving at the church. How is Kate’s behavior in this act similar and different from herbehavior in previous scenes? Is this a sexist play? How do you know?Day 7 (Act IV. Scenes 1,2,3. pgs. 64-84/139-177)Part I. Summarize the first three scenes of Act IV in your own words. Cite specific references tothe text to illustrate where the characters discuss the action you describe. List act, sceneand line number.Part II. What are two examples of how Petruchio tries to tame Kate in Scene 1? Why is he doingit this way? Is it funny? When are two times Petruchio shows anger in Scene 1? Explainthe difference between Petruchio’s treatment of his servants and the way he treats Kate?In scene 2, what does Hortensio’s decision regarding his suit for Bianca show us abouthis view of women and love? What does it say about his societies views of love andmarriage? What is Kate thinking in Scene 3? Why is she so quiet? How does Petruchiotwist Kate’s words around to frustrate her? Prove that the reason Tranio gives thepedant for assuming Vincentio’s identity is clever. What do you think that Katherine isthinking and feeling during the scene with the Tailor and Haberdasher?Day 8 (Act IV. Scenes 4 & 5. pgs. 84-92/177-191)Part I. Summarize the last two scenes of Act IV in your own words. Cite specific references tothe text to illustrate where the characters discuss the action you describe. List act, sceneand line number.Part II. Why does Katherine finally agree that the orb in the sky will be whatever Petruchiowants it to be? What is comical about Kate’s interaction with the traveler they meet onthe road? What is ironic about the identity of the traveler? How does Hortensio takeheart from what he has seen of Petruchio and Katherine?Day 9 (Act V. Scenes 1 & 2. pgs. 93-107/195-221)Part I. Summarize Act V in your own words. Cite specific references to the text to illustratewhere the characters discuss the action you describe. List act, scene and line number.Part II. Explain the reversal of roles in the final scene. How might these reversals make theworld of the play a more flawed world than an ideal world? Is Kate’s final speech theutterance of a tamed woman? Explain your conclusion.