# Scene IV explained — The Taming of the Shrew

> Chapter companion for The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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