The Taming of the Shrew Lesson Plan

How does Shakespeare bisect the action in Act IV, both geographically and tonally?

The fourth act of Taming is by far the longest act. In it Shakespeare divides his narrative into two entirely separate strands, separated by a sizeable expanse of geography. Almost cinematically, The Taming of the Shrew "cuts" between city and country, between Petruchio's rural abode and Padua. Only when Kate and Petruchio set off for Padua do the two narrative strands begin to reconnect, which they do in the final act.

Shakespeare does not simply separate the two plotlines in terms of space, however. He separates them in terms of tone: at times it may seem that we have on our hands two...