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The Taming of the Shrew, Act 4, Scene 1 summary

Act 4, Scene 1 of 14 · 8 min to read the scene

In Act 4, Scene 1, Petruchio brings Katherina home, abuses his servants, and rejects supper despite her protests that the food is good. Alone, he explains that he intends to make her obey by withholding food and sleep while pretending that his actions express loving concern.

What happens

  1. Grumio arrives cold and muddy, then tells Curtis how Katherina falls beneath her horse and intervenes when Petruchio beats him.
  2. The servants prepare a welcome, but Petruchio arrives accusing them of neglect and demanding supper.
  3. Petruchio strikes servants, throws the meal at them, and dismisses Katherina’s efforts to calm him.
  4. Claiming the meat encourages anger, Petruchio insists they go hungry and takes Katherina to the bedroom.
  5. Curtis reports that Petruchio’s scolding leaves Katherina bewildered and unsure how to respond.
  6. Alone, Petruchio compares Katherina to a hawk and announces his plan to control her through hunger and sleeplessness.

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In this scene

KatherinaPetruchioTheme: Control and Consent

What to notice

Petruchio makes his purpose explicit. His apparent concern masks a deliberate attempt to control Katherina through deprivation.

Quick check

Why does Petruchio plan to find faults with the bed?

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