The Taming of the Shrew · Character
Widow
A wealthy widow who marries Hortensio and participates in the final wager.
minor
Also known as Widow Right, Widow Lord
First appearance: the taming of the shrew
Widow's tie to Petruchio is one of the pressures that moves The Taming of the Shrew—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
Hortensio's new wife; she refuses to come when summoned and later mocks Katharina's obedience.
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With Petruchio (social): The Widow is a minor character who marries Hortensio, and Petruchio interacts with her during the final feast, testing the obedience of wives. With Petruchio (social): The Widow is a minor…
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The fuller portrait of Widow sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Widow in the taming of the shrewCharacter Web
16 connectionsA slice of how Widow sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Social
- Other
Character groups
- Bianca's suitors and family
- Minor characters and disguises
- Protagonist
+11 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Katharina’s desp…
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Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Petruchio
social · ambivalent
The Widow is a minor character who marries Hortensio, and Petruchio interacts with her… How this plays out →
- Petruchio
social · ambivalent
The Widow is a minor character who marries Hortensio, and Petruchio interacts with her… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Widow in the taming of the shrewIn the story
Widow appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Widow unlock in the free preview.
See Widow in the taming of the shrew