In Act Two, scene one, of Shakespeare's The
Taming of the Shrew, Tranio arrives at Baptista's home—pretending to be
Lucentio; Lucentio is masquerading as Cambio, an instructor of languages. Lucentio has
come up with a plan to present himself as a teacher to instruct Baptista's daughters.
Knowing that Baptista will only allow teachers in the company of
his daughters, Lucentio gains access in his guise as a schoolmaster. Tranio, presenting
himself as Lucentio, has brought a lute and several books as gifts. Baptista welcomes
Lucentio as Cambio, thanks Tranio for his gifts, and sends "Cambio," along with
Hortensio (also dressed as a musician) and Biondello (dressed as a servant), to instruct
Bianca and Katharina.
Lucentio's plan is to gain extra time
to woo Bianca in his disguise and be that much farther along in capturing her heart than
the other suitors.
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