Baptista, a rich Paduan merchant, declares that his fair young daughter, Bianca, will remain unwed until her older sister, Katharina, a hellish shrew, has wed.. Lucentio, a Pisan merchant's son and also a student, has fallen deeply in love. He poses as a coach of music and poetry to gain entrance and to be near Bianca. Meanwhile, Petruchio arrives in Padua, expecting to catch a wife. Still yet another suitor of Bianca, hortensio, directs Petruchio's attention. When Hortensio warns him Petruchio is challenged and resolves to capture her love. Hortensio and the other suitor of Bianca, Gremio, agree to cover Petruchio's costs as he pursues Katharina.