Baptista, a Paduan gentleman, has two daughters, Katherine and Bianca. Bianca is beautiful, sweet-tempered and obedient and several suitors seek her hand in marriage. Baptista, however, insists that Katherine, just as beautiful but sharp tongued and rebellious, must be married first. The only man willing to court her is the equally feisty Petruchio, a stranger from Verona in search for a rich wife.