Lucentio

Tranio, since I really wanted to see beautiful Padua, famous for being a city of learning, now I’m here at fruitful Lombardy: the pleasant garden of great Italy. And since I have my father’s love and permission, I’ve got both his good will and your good company. You’re my trusty servant, reliable in every way. Now that we’re here, let’s stay and maybe start a course of learning and intellectual studies. I was born in Pisa, renowned for its dignified citizens. And so was my father before me: Vincentino, a merchant who trades all around the world. We’re descended from the Bentivolii. It only makes sense for me, Vincentio’s son raised in Florence, to fulfill my father’s expectations. I have to decorate my good fortune with virtuous deeds. Therefore, Tranio, while I’m here, I’ll apply myself to studying virtue and the philosophy of the happiness that virtue brings. Tell me what you think: for I’ve left Pisa and come to Padua, like someone who jumps out of a shallow puddle and into a lake, hoping to quench his thirst with excess.

Tranio

Pardon me, my gentle master, I feel the same way as you. I’m glad that you continue in your decision to taste the sweet taste of philosophy. But although, good master, I admire the virtue and morality you mentioned, let’s not be stoic or emotionless, please, nor so devoted to Aristotle’s self-restraint that we reject Ovid’s love poetry altogether. Pursue your logic among friends, and practice your fancy speech in casual conversation. But use music and poetry to excite you! Turn to math and philosophy as much as you can stomach them, but there’s no point if you don’t enjoy it. In short, sir, study what you like the most.

Lucentio

Thanks, Tranio. You give good advice. If only Biondello would arrive, we could prepare ourselves right away. We have to find a place to stay where we can entertain the friends we’ll make in Padua. But wait a minute...who are these people?

Tranio

Master, it’s a spectacle to welcome us to town.

Baptista

Gentlemen, stop pestering me! You know I’m firmly resolved not to give my younger daughter in marriage before I’ve found a husband for the older one. If either of you love Katherina, since I know and love you both, I’ll let you court her as much as you want.

Gremio

[Aside] I’d rather cart her than court her. She’s too harsh for me. [Aloud to Hortensio] What about you, Hortensio? Do you want a wife?

Katherina

Let me ask you, sir, are you trying to make a fool out of me with all these suitors?

Hortensio

Husband? What do you mean? No one would be your husband, unless you behaved more gently and mildly.

Katherina

I swear, sir, you have no need to fear. Marriage isn’t even close to what I want. But if it were, have no doubt that I’d hit your head with a three-legged stool, making your face bloody, and treat you like a fool.

Hortensio

Oh Lord! Save us from devils like her!

Gremio

Save me too, good Lord!

Tranio

[Aside to Lucentio] Shh, master! Watch this, it’s gonna be good: that girl’s either completely crazy, or incredibly stubborn.

Lucentio

[Aside to Tranio] But her sister is silent, behaving like a modest and sensible maiden. Now hush, Tranio!

Tranio

[Aside to Lucentio] Good point, master. Let’s be quiet and watch.

Baptista

Gentlemen, I’d like to make good on what I’ve said — Bianca, go inside. And don’t be upset, Bianca, I’ll love you no matter what.

Katherina

Spoiled brat! I bet she’d make herself cry, if she thought of a reason.

Bianca

Sister, just be glad I’m unhappy — Father, I’ll humbly do what you say. My books and music will keep me company. I’ll read and practice my instruments.

Lucentio

Hortensio

Signor Baptista, why are you so against us? I’m sorry our good intentions upset Bianca.

Gremio

Why lock her up just because of her crazy sister, Signor Baptista? Why punish her for something she didn’t do?

Baptista

Give up, gentlemen, I’ve made my choice. Go inside, Bianca.

And since I know Bianca loves music and poetry, I’ll keep teachers around the house who can instruct her. If either of you, Hortensio and Gremio, know any teachers like that, introduce them to me. I’ll pay them very well if they’re intelligent. I’m generous when it comes to my children’s education. Goodbye — Katherina, you can stay here. I have something to discuss with Bianca.

Katherina

I can stay? Then I guess I can go too, right? Am I going to be told where to be every hour, as if I can’t take care of myself?  

Gremio

[To Katherina, as if she’s still there] You can go, all right — to hell! The way you are, nobody can restrain you. [To Hortensio] Women’s love isn’t so important that we can’t wait a while, Hortensio. We’ll get through this. For now, we’ve both lost. Goodbye. But out of love for sweet Bianca, if I can find a teacher who’ll make her happy, I’ll send him to her father.

Hortensio

So will I, Gremio. But wait, listen to me. We’ve never teamed up before, because of our rivalry, but now we have a common goal. If we want to court Bianca again and be rivals like we were before, we need to accomplish one thing.

Gremio

And what’s that?

Hortensio

We need to find a husband for her sister.

Gremio

A husband? You mean a devil.

Hortensio

I mean a husband.

Gremio

Well I say a devil. Do you think anyone’s stupid enough to marry that demon — even with all her father’s money?

Hortensio

Oh, come on, Gremio! Even though you and I find her loud squabbling annoying, don’t you think we could find a man good enough to accept all her faults? Especially if her father offers a large dowry.

Gremio

I don’t know about that. I’d rather be whipped in the marketplace every morning than marry her — even with a large dowry.

Hortensio

You’re right, those are both terrible options. But come on! Our situation has put us on the same team. It’s good for everyone if we find Baptista’s older daughter a husband. Then Bianca will be free to be married, and we can be rivals all over again. Sweet Bianca! May the best man win. I’ll race you to her. What do you say, Gremio?

Gremio

Okay, I’m in. Whatever man can woo Katherina, marry her, sleep with her and get rid of her — I wish he had the fastest horse in Padua! Let’s go.

Tranio

Sir, tell me: is it possible to fall in love so quickly?

Lucentio

Oh Tranio, I didn’t think it was possible either until it happened to me. But while I just stood here watching, love took hold of me. And now I must confess — I’ll confide in you like Dido did to her sister Anna — Oh Tranio, I’m burning, missing her… I’ll die if I can’t be with this girl, Tranio! What should I do, Tranio? I know you give good advice. Help me, Tranio, I know you will.

Tranio

Master, this is no time to lecture you. Love can’t just be scolded out of the heart. If this is really love, I have nothing to say but this from the Latin: Ransom yourself as cheaply as you can.

Lucentio

Thanks, that helps. Go on, it’s comforting to hear what you have to say.

Tranio

Master, you stared at that girl for so long that you might not have noticed the essence of the situation.

Lucentio

Oh yes, I saw the sweet beauty of her face! As beautiful as Agenor’s daughter Europa, when the great god Jupiter pursued her, kneeling on the sand of Crete.

Tranio

Sure, but didn’t you see anything else? Didn’t you notice her sister yelling and shouting, louder than human ears can stand?

Lucentio

Tranio, I saw Bianca’s pink lips move, and her breath like perfume. I saw her sacredness and her sweetness.

Tranio

[Aside] Well then, I guess I’ll have to snap him out of this trance. —Wake up, sir! If you love her, you’re going to have to be clever about pursuing her. Here’s the deal: her older sister is such a foul, grumpy woman that, until her father marries her off, he won’t let Bianca get married. She’s living at home as a maiden. He’s locked her up to keep the men away.

Lucentio

Oh Tranio, he’s such a cruel father. But didn’t you hear, he’s trying to find clever tutors to teach her?

Tranio

Indeed, I heard, sir. And I have a plan.

Lucentio

I have one too, Tranio.

Tranio

Master, I bet we had the same idea.

Lucentio

You go first.

Tranio

You’ll be the tutor who teaches the girl. Was that your plan?

Lucentio

Indeed it was. Do you think it’s possible?

Tranio

I don’t think so. If you play the teacher, who’ll play you — Vincentio’s son visiting Padua? Who’ll keep your house, read your books, welcome your friends, visit and dine with your countrymen?

Lucentio

Enough! Relax, I’ve got it all figured out. Nobody has seen us yet, and they won’t know which one of us is the servant and which one is the master. So, Tranio: you’ll be my master instead of me. Run the house and the servants just like I would. I’ll be someone else, maybe from Florence or Naples, or just a regular man from Pisa. That’s how the plan is going to work. Tranio, take off your clothes and put on my more colorful hat and cloak. When Biondello comes, he’ll serve you. But first I’ll make sure he keeps our secret.

Tranio

Whatever you need. Since this is what you want, I’ll do it. It’s my job, after all. Your father told me to serve you well—although I don’t think this was what he meant. In any case, I’m happy to be Lucentio, since I like him so much.

Lucentio

Yes Tranio, do that; I like you too. I’d be willing to be a slave to get the girl, the very sight of whom has enslaved me.

Here he comes, the lazy bum. Where have you been?

Biondello

Where have I been? I could ask you the same thing! Did Tranio steal your clothes, or did you steal his? Or both? What’s going on?

Lucentio

Come here. This is no time to joke, so adjust your attitude to the situation. Your fellow servant Tranio is dressed up as me, to save my life. And I’m dressed up as him to escape. When I got here, I killed a man in a fight, and I’m afraid I might have been recognized. Now I’m asking you to act like his servant, while I get out of here to save my life. Do you understand?

Biondello

Who, me? No, not at all.

Lucentio

And don’t ever call him Tranio! He’s Lucentio now.

Biondello

Good for him. I wish I were Lucentio, too.

Tranio

Trust me, I’d wish that too, if it meant Lucentio could have Baptista’s youngest daughter. For your master’s sake, not mine, be careful in different groups of people. When we’re alone, you can call me Tranio. But everywhere else, pretend I’m your master Lucentio.

Lucentio

Let’s go, Tranio. There’s one more thing you have to do: become one of these men pursuing Bianca. If you want to know why, just trust me. I have my reasons.

Servingman

You’re nodding off, my lord. You’re not watching the play.

Sly

Yes I am, by Saint Anne! It’s a good plot, of course. Is it over yet?

Page (as Lady)

My lord, that was only the beginning.

Sly

It’s an excellent piece of work, madam lady: but I wish it were done!