Baptista

Play

The Taming of the Shrew

Summary

Baptista Minola is the wealthy Paduan merchant and father of Katherina and Bianca. His decree that no man may court the younger and more desirable Bianca until the elder Katherina is married drives the central plot. He is a pragmatic patriarch — relieved when Petruchio takes Katherina off his hands and shrewd in negotiating marriage settlements — though he shows genuine concern for his daughters' welfare.

Notable Quotations

"I must confess your offer is the best, / And let your father make her the assurance, / She is your own." *(2.1)*

Cross-references

• The Taming of the Shrew — the play
• Comedies
• character_katherina — his elder daughter
• character_lucentio — who wins Bianca's hand
• character_petruchio — who marries Katherina
• character_gremio — suitor to Bianca
• character_tranio — who negotiates as Lucentio