In Padua, wealthy Baptista has two daughters. The youngest, ‘mild’ Bianca, has many suitors but Baptista will not accept any of them until her older ’wild’ sister Katherina, or Kate, has a husband.

Lucenctio is in love with Bianca. To spend time with her, he disguises himself as a teacher and goes to work in Baptista’s house. Lucentio’s servant, Tranio, pretends to be Lucentio.

Petruchio is looking for a rich wife to marry. When he hears about Katherina, he says he will marry her even if she is a shrew. After they have met, Baptista agrees to the marriage.

Petruchio arrives really late for the wedding, and turns up wearing strange clothes. He behaves oddly and insists that he and Katherina leave before the wedding feast.

Tranio, disguised as Lucentio, asks Baptista if he can marry Bianca now her sister is married. Baptista agrees and, meanwhile, the real Lucentio gets close to Bianca during their lessons and reveals his true identity.

When Katherina arrives at Petruchio’s home, her husband continues to behave strangely. He ‘tames’ her by stopping her from eating or sleeping.

Petruchio says they will not return to Padua and 'toward our father's' unless Katherina agrees that the sun is the moon. She begins to agree with everything he says.

Lucentio and Bianca marry in secret, then he and Tranio reveal their true identities to Baptista.

Petruchio and Katherina return and everyone is shocked to see how differently Katherina behaves. Bianca and Lucientio reveal that they have already married.

Petruchio places a wager on who has the most obedient wife. Whilst the other women refuse to do what their husbands say, Katherina does and Petruchio wins the bet.