Many of William Shakespeare's plays were based on works written before him. The Taming of the Shrew was one of these. It was based on Supposes, but was changed fairly drastically from the original work. Shakespeare altered the story and added a second, more important plot onto of the first. He changed the characters and structure as well. All three of these major changes led to an even more significant shift in the main theme, creating a sense of an almost completely original play.

First in the minds of many, is the plot. In Supposes, the main plot is clearly the wooing of Polynesta. The real Erostrato, Cleander, and Pasiphilo are the suitors of Polynesta, who is not able to pick her own love. Her father, Damon, basically puts her up for auction. The whole plot is based on who can marry Polynesta, and what they will do...