The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew

by

William Shakespeare

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Vincentio Character Analysis

Read our modern English translation.
Vincentio is Lucentio's wealthy father. Lucentio needs his father's guarantee of his dower before he marries Bianca, but he gets a merchant to pretend to be Vincentio instead. When the real Vincentio arrives in Padua to see Lucentio and encounters the merchant, as well as Tranio in Lucentio's clothes, Lucentio is forced to reveal his deceitful plans and cast off the disguise of Cambio.
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Vincentio Character Timeline in The Taming of the Shrew

The timeline below shows where the character Vincentio appears in The Taming of the Shrew. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 3, Scene 2
Theater, Performance, and Identity Theme Icon
Marriage Theme Icon
...tells him that he will find a man who will pretend to be Lucentio's father, Vincentio. This man will promise great riches to Lucentio, so that Baptista will approve of his... (full context)
Act 4, Scene 2
Theater, Performance, and Identity Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
...that he has found a merchant who may be able to act as Lucentio's father, Vincentio. Lucentio and Bianca exit, as the merchant enters. (full context)
Social Hierarchy Theme Icon
...the merchant that he will do him a favor. Since the merchant resembles Lucentio's father Vincentio, he will allow the merchant to assume Vincentio's identity and stay with him. That way,... (full context)
Act 4, Scene 4
Theater, Performance, and Identity Theme Icon
In Padua, Tranio (still disguised as Lucentio) brings the merchant, who is dressed up as Vincentio, to Baptista's house. Biondello arrives, as well, and Tranio reminds him to act as if... (full context)
Marriage Theme Icon
Baptista is convinced that the merchant is Vincentio. Baptista, the merchant, and Tranio decide to go to Lucentio's lodging to discuss the financial... (full context)
Act 4, Scene 5
Education Theme Icon
Marriage Theme Icon
The old man introduces himself as Vincentio and says that he is traveling to Padua to see his son Lucentio. Petruchio happily... (full context)
Act 5, Scene 1
Theater, Performance, and Identity Theme Icon
...taking to bring Bianca. After Lucentio leaves with Biondello and Bianca, Petruchio arrives with Katherine, Vincentio, and Grumio. Vincentio knocks on the door and asks for Lucentio. The merchant (who is... (full context)
Social Hierarchy Theme Icon
Theater, Performance, and Identity Theme Icon
Biondello returns from the church, where Lucentio and Bianca have been married. Vincentio recognizes Biondello, but Biondello pretends not to know Vincentio. Vincentio angrily beats Biondello, causing Biondello... (full context)
Social Hierarchy Theme Icon
Theater, Performance, and Identity Theme Icon
...Biondello, Tranio, and the merchant run away. Lucentio reveals his true identity to Baptista and Vincentio, and explains how he and Tranio changed places. He says that he was motivated by... (full context)
Act 5, Scene 2
Marriage Theme Icon
It is finally time for Lucentio and Bianca's wedding banquet. Baptista, Vincentio, Gremio, the merchant who had pretended to be Vincentio, Lucentio, Bianca, Petruchio, and Katherine are... (full context)