Stop. Before you try to read this, go get your hands on a copy of the Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor film version and watch it first. Then read the play. It will enhance your reading of this great play and that way you won't miss out on all the wit!

If you're not familiar with the storyline: Kate is the eldest daughter of a wealthy man from Padua, Italy. For whatever reason (up to you to decide why), Kate's a pain in the butt. Known as a shrew, she has scared off every eligible suitor in sight. Her younger sister, Bianca, is the opposite...a sweet, loving girl that every man wants to wed. But their father, again for unknown reasons, won't let Bianca wed till Kate has been married off first. So the suitors for Bianca hatch a wild scheme to get a young man named Petruchio from a nearby town to marry Kate. They think this will work because Petruchio is basically looking to marry for money and Kate comes with a huge dowry.

So Petruchio, who by the way isn't the most likable of characters at first, marries Kate and sets out to "tame" her. Meanwhile, Bianca's suitors engage in all sorts of antics to see who is going to wed her and mistaken identity (a Shakespeare specialty) leads to some hysterically funny moments.

Kate and Petruchio, meanwhile, must learn to compromise with each other.

Keep in mind that women's rights weren't exactly a big thing back when this play is written, so you can't apply modern sensibilities to the play. But you can enjoy it for it's wit and keen insights into human nature.