How many lines does Tranio have in The Taming of the Shrew?
The size of the part, every scene it speaks in, its longest speeches, and how long it takes to learn.
The Offbook team
Oct 8, 2026
Tranio has about 293 lines in The Taming of the Shrew: 2,253 words in 90 speeches, 11% of the play, and the second-largest part. The role speaks in 8 of the 14 scenes.
Tranio is the second-largest part, a servant who spends most of the play disguised as his master Lucentio. He must pass as a gentleman, bid for Bianca against Gremio, and find and coach a fake father. Most of the part is verse, and he speaks in every act.
- Lines
- 293
- Words
- 2,253
- Share of play
- 11%
- Speech time
- 16 min
86% of the words are verse. 90 speeches means about 90 cues to learn.
Scene by scene
| Scene | Words | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Act 1, Scene 1 | 482 | 3.4 |
| Act 1, Scene 2 | 270 | 1.9 |
| Act 2, Scene 1 | 364 | 2.6 |
| Act 3, Scene 2 | 304 | 2.2 |
| Act 4, Scene 2 | 497 | 3.5 |
| Act 4, Scene 4 | 216 | 1.5 |
| Act 5, Scene 1 | 86 | 0.6 |
| Act 5, Scene 2 | 34 | 0.2 |
The longest speeches
| Speech | Scene | Words |
|---|---|---|
| “Mi perdonato, gentle master mine,” | Act 1, Scene 1 | 113 |
| “Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own,” | Act 2, Scene 1 | 105 |
| “To save your life in this extremity,” | Act 4, Scene 2 | 83 |
| “Softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen,” | Act 1, Scene 2 | 76 |
| “But to her love concerneth us to add” | Act 3, Scene 2 | 75 |
| “Nay, then, ’tis time to stir him from his trance.” | Act 1, Scene 1 | 71 |
| “That “only” came well in. Sir, list to me:” | Act 2, Scene 1 | 71 |
| “A vengeance on your crafty wither’d hide!” | Act 2, Scene 1 | 69 |
How many lines a day to learn
New lines a day to be off book in time, learning five days a week. Review what you already know on the other days.
| Time until off book | New lines a day |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 30 |
| 3 weeks | 20 |
| 4 weeks | 15 |
| 6 weeks | 10 |
More from The Taming of the Shrew
- How many lines does Petruchio have?
- How many lines does Katharina have?
- How many lines does Hortensio have?
- Every role in The Taming of the Shrew, by size
Questions actors ask
How many lines does Tranio have in The Taming of the Shrew?
About 293 lines: 250 lines of verse and 317 words of prose. That is 2,253 words in 90 speeches, 11% of the play and the second-largest part.
How long is Tranio’s longest speech?
113 words, in Act 1, Scene 1, beginning “Mi perdonato, gentle master mine,” At 140 words a minute it runs about 48 seconds.
How long does it take to learn Tranio?
To be off book in three weeks, learning five days a week, plan on about 20 new lines a day, plus time to review what you already know. Start with your longest speeches and the scenes with the most cues.
Keep reading
- The Taming of the Shrew: every role by lines, words, and stage timeWilliam Shakespeare. Line counts, scenes, and the longest speeches.
- How many lines does Kent have in King Lear?Lines, words, scenes, the longest speeches, and a plan to learn the part.
- How many lines does Petruchio have in The Taming of the Shrew?Lines, words, scenes, the longest speeches, and a plan to learn the part.
- How many lines does Hortensio have in The Taming of the Shrew?Lines, words, scenes, the longest speeches, and a plan to learn the part.