The Taming of the Shrew: York Notes for A-level everything you need to study and prepare for the 2025 and 2026 exams

When studying Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew at A Level (and AS) you will require a thorough understanding of the themes, characters and dramatic techniques utilised by Shakespeare in this classic drama. The new A4 York Notes A Level study and revision guide gives the most comprehensive summary of each scene and Act. The guide also deconstructs each character, from Katherina and Petruccio (or Petrucchio) to Bianca and Christopher Sly, and provides a wide range of supporting information on themes, genre, structure and language.

The York Notes revision guide on The Taming of the Shrew goes further than other English Literature study guides to help you achieve the best possible grade at A Level. You’ll not only revise the play itself but the contexts and critical debates surrounding it. Understanding The Taming of the Shrew in the context of the social debates around marriage, the comedic sources of the play, and different critical angles from the original reception to its Feminist readings, will help you achieve top a A Level grade.

Using your study guide’s Progress Booster exam section is the best way to target a high grade in your English Literature exam. This section of the Taming of the Shrew study guide shows you the typical features which examiners are looking for in answers to a range of different exam questions at A and AS Level. It will show you how to meet the new Assessment Objectives and write high quality responses, which clearly demonstrate your understanding of the play beyond the plot, characters and key quotations.