"The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare, Act I

In this comedy, a lord refuses to allow his younger daughter to marry unless her willful older sister gets married first. Learn this thematic list focusing on goals (or, for links to general lists for the play, click below).

Here are links to thematic lists for the play: Induction, Act I, Act II, Act III, Act IV, Act V

Here are links to our general lists for the play: Induction, Act I, Act II, Act III, Act IV, Act V
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. institute
    set up or lay the groundwork for
    Here let us breathe, and haply institute
    A course of learning and ingenious studies.
  2. virtue
    a particular moral excellence
    And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study,
    Virtue and that part of philosophy
    Will I apply that treats of happiness
    By virtue specially to be achiev'd.
  3. quench
    satisfy, as thirst
    Tell me thy mind; for I have Pisa left
    And am to Padua come as he that leaves
    A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep,
    And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.
  4. resolve
    the trait of being firm in purpose or belief
    I am in all affected as yourself;
    Glad that you thus continue your resolve
    To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.
  5. discipline
    a branch of knowledge
    Only, good master, while we do admire
    This virtue and this moral discipline,
    Let's be no Stoics nor no stocks, I pray
    "Discipline" can also be defined as "training to improve strength or self-control" and the "trait of being well-behaved." All are suggested by Tranio, who wants to encourage the philosophical studies of Lucentio, because that is why they are in Padua. Yet, Tranio also wants to enjoy life and can only do so if his young and wealthy master were a little less disciplined (the Stoic discipline teaches people to be disciplined in their emotions so that they can reason and act virtuously).
  6. profit
    the advantageous quality of being beneficial
    No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en
  7. importune
    beg persistently and urgently
    Gentlemen, importune me no farther,
    For how I firmly am resolv'd you know
  8. bestow
    give as a gift
    That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter
    Before I have a husband for the elder.
  9. sobriety
    a manner that is serious and solemn
    But in the other's silence do I see
    Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety.
  10. subscribe
    adopt as a belief
    Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe;
    My books and instruments shall be my company,
    On them to look, and practise by myself.
  11. liberal
    given or giving freely
    for to cunning men
    I will be very kind, and liberal
    To mine own children in good bringing-up
  12. access
    the right to make use of or take advantage of something
    Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brook'd parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both- that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca's love- to labour and effect one thing specially.
  13. achieve
    gain with effort
    Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,
    If I achieve not this young modest girl.
  14. sacred
    worthy of respect or dedication
    Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move,
    And with her breath she did perfume the air;
    Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.
  15. undertake
    enter upon an activity or enterprise
    You will be schoolmaster,
    And undertake the teaching of the maid
  16. device
    any clever maneuver
    That's your device.
  17. thrall
    the state of being under the control of another person
    And let me be a slave t' achieve that maid
    Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye.
    The word is used as a verb, but the given definition is for a noun. This sense of slavery might be traced to a Proto-Germanic word that refers to a runner or messenger on foot. But also suggested here is the participial adjective "enthralled" which means "filled with wonder and delight."
  18. execute
    put in effect
    One thing more rests, that thyself execute-
    To make one among these wooers.
  19. thrive
    make steady progress
    And I have thrust myself into this maze,
    Haply to wive and thrive as best I may
  20. wealth
    property that has economic value
    and therefore, if thou know
    One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife,
    As wealth is burden of my wooing dance,
    Be she as foul as was Florentius' love,
    As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd
    As Socrates' Xanthippe or a worse-
    She moves me not, or not removes, at least,
    Affection's edge in me, were she as rough
    As are the swelling Adriatic seas.
  21. accompany
    go or travel along with
    I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her;
    And therefore let me be thus bold with you
    To give you over at this first encounter,
    Unless you will accompany me thither.
  22. suitor
    a man who courts a woman
    He hath the jewel of my life in hold,
    His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca;
    And her withholds from me, and other more,
    Suitors to her and rivals in my love
  23. court
    engage in social activities leading to marriage
    Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace,
    And offer me disguis'd in sober robes
    To old Baptista as a schoolmaster
    Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca;
    That so I may by this device at least
    Have leave and leisure to make love to her,
    And unsuspected court her by herself.
  24. beguile
    influence by slyness
    See, to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together!
  25. plead
    appeal or request earnestly
    Whate'er I read to her, I'll plead for you
    As for my patron, stand you so assur'd,
    As firmly as yourself were still in place
  26. woo
    make amorous advances towards
    Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,
    Upon agreement from us to his liking,
    Will undertake to woo curst Katherine
  27. dowry
    money brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
    Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.
    The noun comes from the Latin verb "dotare" which means "to endow, bestow." Petruchio's focus on the dowry makes him seem greedy. Baptista, who gives the dowry, is focused on the value of his daughters. While Hortensio accuses Baptista of using Katherina as an immovable obstacle to Bianca, the offering of a huge dowry suggests that he is providing additional incentive for men to find a husband for his less desirable daughter. When both are married, Baptista's fatherly duties are fulfilled.
  28. intent
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
    Why came I hither but to that intent?
  29. daunt
    cause to lose courage
    Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?
  30. contributor
    someone who regularly contributes a sum of money
    I promis'd we would be contributors
    And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er.
  31. beseech
    ask for or request earnestly
    Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way
    To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?
  32. modesty
    formality and propriety of manner
    No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two:
    The one as famous for a scolding tongue
    As is the other for beauteous modesty.
  33. feat
    a notable achievement
    And if you break the ice, and do this feat,
    Achieve the elder, set the younger free
    For our access- whose hap shall be to have her
    Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.
  34. gratify
    make happy or satisfied
    And since you do profess to be a suitor,
    You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman,
    To whom we all rest generally beholding.
  35. strive
    exert much effort or energy
    And do as adversaries do in law-
    Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
Created on Wed Oct 12 09:32:30 EDT 2016 (updated Mon Mar 19 13:07:34 EDT 2018)

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