The Taming of the Shrew · Chapter
Scene IV explained
Tranio, disguised as Lucentio, presents the Pedant (dressed as Vincentio) to Baptista as Lucentio's father.
What happens
Tranio, disguised as Lucentio, presents the Pedant (dressed as Vincentio) to Baptista as Lucentio's father. They negotiate and agree to the marriage of Lucentio and Bianca, planning a private ceremony. Biondello then urges the real Lucentio (still disguised as Cambio) to secretly marry Bianca immediately, using the priest at Saint Luke's church.
Themes in this chapter
Disguise and Deception
Tranio and the Pedant maintain their disguises to deceive Baptista into approving the marriage, while Lucentio remains disguised as Cambio.
Marriage as Economic Transaction
The marriage agreement is framed as a financial deal, with Baptista requiring a sufficient dower and the Pedant promising patrimony.
Family and Paternal Authority
Baptista exercises his authority as Bianca's father in approving the match, while the Pedant impersonates Lucentio's father to give consent.
Characters to notice
- Tranio
Disguised as Lucentio, he orchestrates the deception by presenting the Pedant as Vincentio and negotiating with Baptista.
- Pedant
Dressed as Vincentio, he plays the role of Lucentio's father to secure the marriage agreement.
- Baptista Minola
Agrees to the match between Lucentio and Bianca after being convinced by the fake Vincentio.
- Lucentio
Still disguised as Cambio, he receives Biondello's advice to secretly marry Bianca.
- Biondello
Delivers messages and urges Lucentio to take advantage of the situation to marry Bianca immediately.
Key passages
“Sir, this is the house: please it you that I call?”
Sir, this is the house; would you like me to knock?
Tranio asks the Pedant if he should announce their arrival.
“I told him that your father was at Venice, And that you look'd for him this day in Padua.”
I told him that your father was in Venice and that you expected him today in Padua.
Biondello reports the lie he told Baptista about Lucentio's father.
“The match is made, and all is done: Your son shall have my daughter with consent.”
The agreement is settled; your son will marry my daughter with my approval.
Baptista agrees to the marriage after the fake Vincentio's assurances.
“Take you assurance of her, 'cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum:' to the church; take the priest, clerk, and some sufficient honest witnesses.”
Secure your claim to her, with exclusive rights, and go to the church with the priest, clerk, and reliable witnesses.
Biondello urges Lucentio to marry Bianca immediately, using a legal Latin phrase meaning 'with exclusive printing rights' as a metaphor.