Hortensio

fictional character

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

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Hortensio is a fictional character in William Shakespeare's play, The Taming of the Shrew. He is a gentleman from Verona who travels to Padua seeking a wealthy wife. Hortensio is a friend of Petruchio and helps him set his sights on Katharina, the titular shrew.12

The play's plot involves Petruchio's determined wooing and "taming" of Katharina, who is known for her volatile temper. Hortensio is also one of Bianca's suitors, though he eventually abandons his pursuit of her to marry a wealthy widow. The play is framed by a story involving a drunken tinker, Christopher Sly, who is tricked into believing he is a nobleman.2

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The Taming of the Shrew
…plot follows the competition between Hortensio, Gremio, and Lucentio for Bianca’s hand in marriage. The only serious candidate is Lucentio, the son of a wealthy Florentine gentleman. He is so smitten with Bianca’s charms that he exchanges places with his clever servant, Tranio, in order to gain access to the…
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…plot follows the competition between Hortensio, Gremio, and Lucentio for Bianca’s hand in marriage. The only serious candidate is Lucentio, the son of a wealthy Florentine gentleman. He is so smitten with Bianca’s charms that he exchanges places with his clever servant, Tranio, in order to gain access to the…
Read More