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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 4Scene 2
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“have forsworn you with Hortensio … Then we are rid of Litio."
Discussion
Act 4,
Scene 2
Lines 44-49b

A discussion of Hortensio and Litio in Act 4, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Tranio (as himself)

Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace    
As 'longeth to a lover's blessèd case!    
Nay, I have ta'en you napping, gentle love,    
And have forsworn you with Hortensio.    

Bianca

Tranio, you jest. But have you both forsworn me?

Tranio

Mistress, we have.

Lucentio (as himself)

                             Then we are rid of Litio.  

Tranio

Bianca

Tranio

Bianca

Tranio

Bianca

Tranio

[Enter Biondello, who continues to address his fellow servant Tranio as his master, even though the only others around are Lucentio and Bianca, who are in on the ruse.]

Biondello

Tranio

Biondello

Lucentio

Tranio

[Exit Lucentio and Bianca. Enter a Merchant.]

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Biondello

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Merchant

Tranio-as-Lucentio

[Exit]

Tranio, speaking ironically as if he’s still in character as Lucentio, tells Bianca that he and Hortensio spied on her while she had her guard down, and that they have both sworn to give her up forever.