You are here

Aeacides, Ajax
Literary Allusion
Act 3,
Scene 1
Lines 49-51

An explanation of the allusion to Aeacides and Ajax in Act 3, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Bianca

[To Lucentio] In time I may believe, yet I mistrust.    

Lucentio

[To Bianca] Mistrust it not. [Loudly] For, sure, Aeacides
Was Ajax, called so from his grandfather.    

Speaking loudly for Hortensio’s sake, Lucentio continues interpreting the next line of the poem. Here, Ovid uses the name Aeacides, which refers to any descendant of the mythological king Aeacus. Lucentio is certain that the reference is to Aeacus’ grandson Ajax. However, the well educated members of Shakespeare’s audience would have known, just as Bianca does, that the reference is more likely referring to a different descendent, Achilles. Bianca says that if she didn’t have to play the role of the submissive student she would certainly point his error to Lucentio. Perhaps this is an indication that Bianca isn’t quite the docile creature many believe her to be.