Original: They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.
Modern: They can continue with their plans, Kate, if you say so.

Original: Obey the bride, you that attend on her;
Modern: Listen to the bride, all you people serving her;

Original: Go to the feast, revel and domineer,
Modern: Go to the wedding party, celebrate and have fun,

Original: Carouse full measure to her maidenhead;
Modern: Drink heavily in honor of her virginity;

Original: Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves.
Modern: Go wild and have a good time, or just go away.

Original: But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.
Modern: But my beautiful Kate has to come with me.

Original: Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret;
Modern: Don’t puff yourself up, or stomp, or glare, or get upset;

Original: I will be master of what is mine own-
Modern: I will be in charge of what belongs to me—

Original: She is my goods, my chattels, she is my house,
Modern: She is my property, my belongings, she is my house,

Original: My household stuff, my field, my barn,
Modern: My furniture, my land, my barn,

Original: My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing,
Modern: My horse, my ox, my donkey, my everything,

Original: And here she stands; touch her whoever dare;
Modern: And here she is; let anyone try to touch her;

Original: I’ll bring mine action on the proudest he
Modern: I’ll take legal action against the most arrogant man

Original: That stops my way in Padua. Grumio,
Modern: Who gets in my way in Padua. Grumio,

Original: Draw forth thy weapon; we are beset with thieves;
Modern: Pull out your sword; we’re surrounded by thieves;

Original: Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man.
Modern: Save your mistress, if you’re really a man.

Original: Fear not, sweet wench; they shall not touch thee, Kate;
Modern: Don’t be afraid, sweet girl; they won’t touch you, Kate;

Original: I’ll buckler thee against a million.
Modern: I’ll protect you against a million enemies.

In Act III, Scene 2 of “The Taming of the Shrew,” Petruchio arrives late to his own wedding ceremony in outrageous attire, wearing mismatched and deliberately shabby clothing that shocks the assembled guests. Despite Baptista’s protests and attempts to persuade him to change into more appropriate wedding garments, Petruchio insists on proceeding with the ceremony as he is, declaring that Katharina is marrying him, not his clothes. The wedding party exits to attend the ceremony, leaving Tranio (disguised as Lucentio) and Lucentio (disguised as Cambio) to discuss the situation and Lucentio’s courtship of Bianca.

After the off-stage wedding ceremony concludes, Gremio returns to report the chaotic events that occurred during the service. He describes how Petruchio behaved scandalously throughout the ceremony, swearing loudly, striking the priest, throwing wine in the sexton’s face, and kissing Katharina so forcefully that the sound echoed throughout the church. When Petruchio and Katharina return from the ceremony, Petruchio immediately announces that they must leave for his country home, refusing all invitations to stay for the traditional wedding feast. Despite Katharina’s protests and the attempts of Baptista and the other guests to convince them to remain, Petruchio whisks his new bride away, claiming he must protect his property and asserting his authority as her husband.

The Taming of the Shrew opens with an induction featuring Christopher Sly, a drunken tinker who is tricked by a lord into believing he is nobility. A troupe of players performs the main play for Sly’s entertainment, though this framing device is largely forgotten after the first act.

The central plot follows Petruchio of Verona, who comes to Padua seeking a wealthy wife. He learns of Katherina Minola, the shrewish elder daughter of the rich Baptista, whom no man dares court due to her fierce temper and sharp tongue. Baptista has decreed that no suitor may court his younger, gentler daughter Bianca until Katherina is married. Petruchio, undaunted by Katherina’s reputation and attracted by her substantial dowry, courts and weds her despite her protests and violent resistance during their first meeting.

Meanwhile, multiple suitors pursue Bianca, including Lucentio (who disguises himself as a Latin tutor), Gremio (an old pantaloon), and Hortensio (who disguises himself as a music teacher). Lucentio and his servant Tranio orchestrate an elaborate deception, with Tranio assuming his master’s identity to court Bianca openly while Lucentio teaches her in disguise. Eventually, Bianca falls in love with Lucentio, and they secretly marry, while Hortensio abandons his pursuit and marries a wealthy widow.

After his wedding, Petruchio takes Katherina to his country house, where he employs various tactics to “tame” her, including depriving her of food and sleep under the pretense that nothing is good enough for her, and contradicting her at every turn. Gradually, Katherina appears to submit to his will. The play concludes with a feast where the three new husbands wager on whose wife is most obedient. Katherina proves most compliant, delivering a lengthy speech on wifely duty and obedience, winning Petruchio the wager and apparently demonstrating her complete transformation.