# Tranio — The Taming of the Shrew character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lucentio Tranio, Enter Tranio, Tranio Softly, Tranio Ay, Tranio Faith, Tranio Gremio, Tranio Of all mad matches, Tranio Master, Tranio Sir, Tranio Patience, Tranio Mistress, Tranio Mi perdonato, Tranio Ay

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

## Snapshot

Lucentio's quick-witted servant, who dons his master's clothes and impersonates a wealthy heir with more flair than the real thing.

## Who they are

Tranio is Lucentio's clever servant who agrees to swap identities so his master can woo Bianca in disguise, leaving Tranio to play the part of a rich young gentleman about town. He throws himself into the role with relish, negotiating with Baptista, fending off rival suitors, and even hiring a wandering pedant to impersonate Lucentio's father. His improvisations keep the courtship plot spinning, and his loyalty — however cheeky — makes him one of the play's most resourceful and entertaining schemers.

## Relationships

### [Petruchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/petruchio)

_social_

Petruchio interacts frequently with Tranio, Lucentio's disguised servant, as a fellow player in the schemes surrounding Bianca's suitors.

### [Bianca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/bianca)

_social_

Bianca interacts with Tranio, who is disguised as Lucentio, as part of the elaborate deception to win her hand.

### [Lucentio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/lucentio)

_friendship_

Lucentio and his servant Tranio have a close, conspiratorial bond, with Tranio impersonating his master to further Lucentio's romantic goals.

### [Katharina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/katharina)

_social_

Katharina interacts with Tranio primarily as a bystander in the schemes surrounding her sister's suitors.

### [Hortensio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/hortensio)

_rivalry_

Hortensio and Tranio (disguised as Lucentio) compete as rival suitors for Bianca, leading to deception and eventual mutual abandonment of the pursuit.

### [Petruchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/petruchio)

_social_

Petruchio interacts frequently with Tranio, Lucentio's disguised servant, as a fellow player in the schemes surrounding Bianca's suitors.

### [Katharina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/katharina)

_social_

Katharina interacts with Tranio primarily as a bystander in the schemes surrounding her sister's suitors.

### [Petruchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/petruchio)

_social_

Petruchio interacts frequently with Tranio, Lucentio's disguised servant, as a fellow player in the schemes surrounding Bianca's suitors.

### [Katharina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/katharina)

_social_

Katharina interacts with Tranio primarily as a bystander in the schemes surrounding her sister's suitors.

### [Bianca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/bianca)

_social_

Bianca interacts with Tranio, who is disguised as Lucentio, as part of the elaborate deception to win her hand.

### [Lucentio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/lucentio)

_friendship_

Lucentio and his servant Tranio have a close, conspiratorial bond, with Tranio impersonating his master to further Lucentio's romantic goals.

### [Bianca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/bianca)

_social_

Bianca interacts with Tranio, who is disguised as Lucentio, as part of the elaborate deception to win her hand.

## In the story

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

Lucentio's servant, agrees to impersonate his master while Lucentio pursues Bianca in disguise.

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

Enters disguised as Lucentio and engages with the other suitors, agreeing to support Petruchio's courtship of Katharina.

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

Appears as a suitor for Bianca and later remarks on the match.

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

Defends Petruchio's intentions, observes the wedding chaos, and plots with Lucentio to secure Bianca.

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

Observes Bianca's affection for Lucentio, forswears her, and orchestrates the scheme to have a pedant pose as Vincentio.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Disguised as Lucentio, he orchestrates the deception by presenting the Pedant as Vincentio and negotiating with Baptista.

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

Disguised as Lucentio; orders the arrest of the real Vincentio before fleeing when the truth emerges.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_taming_of_the_shrew_se/characters/tranio
- 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