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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 5Scene 2
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“Signor Tranio”
Discussion
Act 5,
Scene 2
Lines 49-53

An explanation of Petruchio's address to "Signor Tranio" in Act 5, Scene 2 of myShakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. 

Petruchio

She hath prevented me here, Signor Tranio,        
This bird you aimed at though you hit her not.    
Therefore a health to all that shot and missed.    

Tranio

O, sir, Lucentio slipped me like his greyhound,    
Which runs himself and catches for his master.

Although Tranio is only a servant, Petruchio addresses him with the title “Signor.” Tranio has demonstrated that he not only can play the role of a nobleman, but he has the excellent character of one as well. Both Petruchio in this game of wits and Tranio while posing as Lucentio have pursued Bianca unsuccessfully.