# Gremio — The Taming of the Shrew character guide

> Gremio in The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Tranio Gremio, old Gremio, Signior Gremio, Enter Gremio, Old Signior Gremio, Gremio Good morrow, Gremio Hortensio, Gremio Tranio, Gremio Yea, Gremio Adieu, Gremio Youngling, Gremio Ay

**First appearance:** 0000-the-taming-of-the-shrew

## Snapshot

A wealthy old suitor who hires tutors and perfumes love-books for Bianca, only to find his money and years outmatched by younger, craftier rivals.

## Who they are

Gremio is one of Bianca's rival suitors in Padua, a rich elderly man who competes with Hortensio for her hand by plying her with gifts, books, and hired schoolmasters. His courtship is transactional — he speaks of his 'bags' and largess more than his heart — and he is repeatedly mocked by sharper wits like Grumio and Tranio. His willingness to bankroll Petruchio's wooing of Katharina shows how badly he wants the younger sister, and his eventual defeat exposes the limits of wealth without wit.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Another suitor to Bianca, who hires Lucentio (disguised as Cambio) as a tutor to gain access to her.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Presents Lucentio as a tutor for Bianca and comments on the swift match between Petruchio and Katharina.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Reports the outrageous events at the church, calling Petruchio a devil.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/gremio
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters