Taming of the Shrew (The), a comedy by Shakespeare (1594). The “shrew” is Kathari´na, elder daughter of Baptista, of Padua, and she is tamed by the stronger mind of Petruchio into a most obedient and submissive wife.
This drama is founded on A pleasaunt conceited Historie, called The Taming of a Shrew. As it hath beene sundry times acted by the right honourable the earle of Pembrooke his servants, 1607. The induction is borrowed from Heuterus, Rerum Burgundearum, iv., a translation of which into English, by E. Grimstone, appeared in 1607. The same trick was played by Haroun-al-Raschid, on the merchant Abou Hassan (Arabian Nights, “The Sleeper Awakened”); and by Philippe the Good of Burgundy. (See Burton, Anatomy of Melancholy, II. ii. 4; see also The Frolicksome Duke, or the Tinker’s Good Fortune (a ballad), Percy.)
Beaumont and Fletcher wrote a kind of sequel to this comedy, called The Tamer Tamed, in which Petruchio is supposed to marry a second wife, by whom he is hen-pecked (1647).
The Honeymoon, a comedy by Tobin (1804), has a similar plot, but the shrew is tamed with far less display of obstreperous self-will.
Tami´no and Pami´na, the two lovers who were guided by the magic flute through all worldly dangers to the knowledge of divine truth (or the mysteries of Isis).--Mozart, Die Zauberflöte (1791).
Tamismud, aged chief of the Delawares, regarded as an oracle by Indians of all tribes. When Magua brings his captives, whites and Indians, before the sage for sentence, Tamismud is a hundred years old, and speaks with clear eyes, and for the most part dreamily, as communing with unseen powers. His style of speech is highly figurative and the superstitious creatures by whom he is surrounded hang breathlessly upon every sentence uttered by his lips.--James Fenimore Cooper, The Last of the Mohicans (1826).
Tam´ora, queen of the Goths, in love with Aaron, the Moor.--(?) Shakespeare, Titus Andron´icus (1593).
⁂ The classic name is Andronīcus, but Titus Andronĭcus is a purely fictitious character.
Tamper (Colonel), betrothed to Emily. On his return from Havana, he wanted to ascertain if Emily loved him “for himself alone;” so he pretended to have lost one leg and one eye. Emily was so shocked that the family doctor was sent for, who, amidst other gossip, told the young lady he had recently seen Colonel Tamper, who was looking remarkably well, and had lost neither leg nor eye. Emily now perceived that a trick was being played, so she persuaded Mdlle. Florival to assume the part of a rival lover, under the assumed name of Captain Johnson. After the colonel had been thoroughly roasted, Major Belford entered, recognized “Captain Johnson” as his own affiancée, the colonel saw how the tables had been turned upon him, apologized, and all ended happily.--G. Colman, Sr., The Deuce is in Him (1762).
Tamson (Peg), an old woman at Middlemas village.--Sir W. Scott, The Surgeon’s Daughter (time, George II.).