The Taming of the Shrew – Cambridge School Shakespeare | Cambridge University Press

This improved, larger-format edition of Shakespeare’s witty and provocative comedy is part of the acclaimed Cambridge School Shakespeare series — extensively rewritten, expanded, and produced in an attractive new design. Built on the Rex Gibson active approach, it enables students to inhabit Shakespeare’s imaginative world in accessible and creative ways, sharing his love of language, interest in character, and sense of theatre.

Substantially revised and extended, this edition brings The Taming of the Shrew to life through structured activities, rich visual material, and comprehensive study support.

What This Edition Includes

• Thematically organised classroom activities — activities structured around distinctive Stagecraft, Write about it, Language in the play, Characters, and Themes features to support active engagement with the text
• Expanded endnotes with essay-writing guidance — extensive guidance for writing essays on The Taming of the Shrew and Shakespeare more broadly
• Extended glossaries — aligned with the play text for easy reference, helping students understand Shakespeare’s language in context
• Rich colour photos of global performances — exciting full-colour photographs of productions of The Taming of the Shrew from around the world, bringing the play’s theatrical life to the classroom
• Improved larger format — a fresh, attractive design that makes the text and activities easier to navigate and enjoy

Benefits for Students

• Accessible and creative engagement — the active approach makes Shakespeare approachable and enjoyable for all students, not just confident readers
• Deeper understanding — structured activities develop genuine understanding of language, character, and theme rather than passive reading
• Critical thinking — the play’s complex themes of gender, power, and identity invite rich discussion and debate in the classroom
• Exam readiness — essay-writing guidance and extended glossaries prepare students for assessments and examinations
• A trusted classroom resource — the Cambridge School Shakespeare series is used in schools worldwide and is a trusted companion for English literature study

The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare’s most entertaining and thought-provoking comedies, exploring themes of gender, power, identity, and transformation — and this edition gives every student the tools to engage with it confidently and critically.

Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781107616899