The Taming of the Shrew
Text Analysis Guidelines
Task — You are to consider yourself a theatre scholar and set about to understand (describe) and
appraise (evaluate) the text of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. This assignment differs
from the ACT Production response in the following ways: (1) This time, I want you use general topic
questions from the list below as a starting point for brainstorming on a topic; and (2) you are writing
about the text this time, and not the ACT production.
You should be prepared to consider and apply information in Chapters 3 (The Playwright) and 4 (Genres)
of your textbook and/or concepts covered in class (as appropriate) and AND DEVELOP YOUR OWN
TOPIC QUESTION BY USING one (or more) of the following general topic questions as a starting point for
brainstorming:
1. How is the plot of The Taming of the Shrew structured? (This topic relates to aspects of episodic
and climactic plot construction, as well as the playwright’s shaping of time, place and action.)
2. What implicit and explicit information can be discovered through the four sources of character
information (dialogue/what the characters say, description/stage directions, and what
characters do/action)
3. What is the nature of the dramatic action in the play? (This topic relates to any or all of the
following: status quo, exposition, inciting incident, conflict, character goals against obstacles
and complications, climax, resolution and changed status quo).
4. How does The Taming of the Shrew exhibit characteristics of one or more of the comic genres,
and are there any serious (dramatic) aspects in the play?
5. What is/are the major theme(s) in The Taming of the Shrew in terms of human relationships,
and is/are the theme(s) relevant to a modern audience today? (This relates to the lesson on
analyzing plot statements and distilling a one sentence theme statement from the plot
statement). (NOTE: DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!!! THERE IS MUCH WRITTEN ABOUT THEME
ONLINE!!)
6. How do the characters and plot of The Taming of the Shrew compare and contrast with the
stock characters of commedia dell’arte and Roman comedy? (This applies to character traits:
biological, physical, dispostitional, deliberative (ethical and expedient thought), and decisive.
This also applies to RESEARCH from your text on Roman Comedy and commedia)
7. What is the nature of Shakespeare’s use of the Aristotelean elements of music, and diction?
(This is related to the lesson on iambic pentameter)
8. What is the role of spectacle in the play, compared to other Aristotelean elements (plot,
character, thought, music, and diction)?
It is important to understand that the topic questions above as written are far too general, and need to
be revised and clarified as you go through the brainstorming process. After revising your topic question
from the list above, be sure to develop a thesis statement from the topic question.
As you reflect on the argument of your thesis, consider the “three questions the critic should ask” as
articulated on pp. 40-41 of your text:
1. What is the playwright attempting to do?
2. How well has it been done?
3. Is it worth doing?
Format for paper:
1. MLA guidelines for name, date, professor, name of class and title.
2. Papers typed and double spaced. Font size of 12 Times New Roman.
3. Use “What is an Essay?” handout to write a persuasive essay that is designed to help the reader
to understand your appraisal of the Shrew text. This includes:
a. 5 paragraph minimum, including introduction, development of at least three paragraphs, and
conclusion. Paper should be a minimum of three pages, which is approximately 1,000 words.
b. Place your thesis statement prominently near the end of your introduction.
c. Use topic sentences at the top of each paragraph of the development.
d. Use examples of the three types of evidence:
1. Authority: 3 examples minimum from textbook research and classroom instruction. Cite
sources in body of paragraph. Works cited page is not necessary, UNLESS you use an
online or other source. Authority should be used to define course concepts in the
paper.
2. Example: You must use specific examples from your Shrew text to develop your
arguments, followed by proper and consistent documentation. Example: “Gremio: You
may go to the devil’s dam, your gifts are so good here’s none will have you.”
(Shakespeare, p. 22) Works cited page is not necessary.
3. Logic: Logic involves the organization of your ideas within the pape
