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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 1Scene 1
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“Minerva”
Mythological Allusion
Act 1,
Scene 1
Lines 80-84

An explanation of Lucentio’s reference to Minerva in Act 1, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Bianca

Sister, content you in my discontent.
Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe;
My books and instruments shall be my company,    
On them to look and practice by myself.

Lucentio

[Quietly to Tranio] Hark, Tranio! Thou mayst hear Minerva speak.    

Lucentio is paying Bianca a nice compliment. Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and inventor of the flute.