[As LUCENTIO]But in ladies' eyes, it's youth that flourishes. Be patient, gentlemen. So why does the world report that Kate limps along? Which I have bettered rather than decreased. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare | Act 1, Scene 2 After recovering from the shock of the hasty arrangement they have just witnessed, Gremio and Tranio immediately move to the matter of Bianca, who suddenly will be available after Sunday. If her temper results from her frustration with the dim-witted qualities of the men around her, one easy explanation for her acceptance of Petruchio would be that he is her equal in wit and willpower. Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing.They call me Katherine that do talk of me. The two phony schoolmasters leave to ply their trades on Bianca, while Petruchio presses Baptista further for information about Katherine. Now is the day we long have lookd for. See thou dissemble not. And this small packet of Greek and Latin books. We will be married o' Sunday. Youre welcome, sir, and he for your good sake.But for my daughter Katherine, this I know,She is not for your turn, the more my grief. The Taming of the Shrew | Folger Shakespeare Library And therefore, setting all this chat aside. I have now boldly come as a guest to your house to try and see for myself all the things I've heard reported. I was born to tame you, Kate, and change you from a wildcat Kate into a Kate as obedient as other domesticated Kates. Sir, listen to me: I am my father's heir and only son. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Here comes your father. Let me fret you then!". Pray, have you not a daughter, You wrong me, Signior Gremio. That talked of her have talked amiss of her. To smile at scapes and perils overblown. A room in Baptista Minola's house. (as LUCENTIO] That only came well in. Ay, when the special thing is well obtained,That is, her love, for that is all in all. Sly is surrounded by servants who offer tasty snacks, expensive booze, and the coolest clothes, all of which Sly rejects on the grounds that he is Christopher Sly, the . If I'm a wasp, then you'd better beware my stinger. Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, In the preferment of the eldest sister. Whoever can offer my daughter the most wealth and property as her widow's inheritance will have Bianca's love. SCENE I. Padua. A room in BAPTISTA'S house. Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you scape not so. She threw her arms around my neck, giving me kiss after kiss and swearing vows of love, and in an instant she had won my heart. First, as you know, my house within the city Is richly furnishd with plate and gold, Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands; My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry, In ivory coffers I have stuffed my crowns, In cypress chests my arras counterpoints, Costly apparel, tents, and canopies, Fine linen, Turkey cushions bossed with pearl, Valance of Venice gold in needlework, Pewter and brass, and all things that belong To house or housekeeping. Go do some sewing, and don't talk to her. Indeed, I do mean to keep myself warm, sweet Katherine, in your bed. Only deeds can determine the winner here. Wed love to have you back! Whom thou lovest best. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare Buy Study Guide The Taming of the Shrew Summary and Analysis of Act II Summary Inside Baptista 's home, Katharina has bound her sister's hands. You'll also receive an email with the link. Give me leave.. [To HORTENSIO as LITIO]Well, come with me, and don't be discouraged. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed. Are you sad? I swear Ill cuff you if you strike again. I choose her for myself. Calm down, gentlemen. Two thousand gold coins a year from his land! Of that report which I so oft have heard. At the beginning of the scene, though, Kate shows that she may have another motive for complying with Petruchio. What, have I pinched you, Signior Gremio? [To TRANIO]What, have I silenced you with a ship? Dont have an account? Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 1 - PlayShakespeare.com If she tells me to get out, then I'll thank her as if she'd asked me to stay with her for a week. And time it is, when raging war is done, 2. Brother Petruchio, sister Katherina, 6. And twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms. Oh, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate, And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful. On the following Sunday, Bianca will marry youif you can make this guarantee. Let me fret you then!" Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her? I tell you, father, I am as domineering as she is proud-minded, and when two raging fires come together, they cancel each other out. You are passing welcome. Test. How now, my friend, why dost thou look so pale? Her silence flouts me, and Ill be revenged. Let me go. A thousand thanks, Sir Gremio. She demands that Bianca say which of her suitors she prefers, and when Bianca does not, Katharina slaps her. Myself am struck in years, I must confess. She's not fierce, but as mild as the morning. By God, that's a lively girl! LitCharts Teacher Editions. Baptista accepts the gift and then hears from Tranio, who, pretending to be Lucentio, presents his own gift of books and a lute, in exchange for the permission to see and woo Bianca. Shes apt to learn and thankful for good turns. Lines 212-218. Mistake me not. Otherwise, you must pardon meif you should die before your father does, then what would become of all the wealth Bianca is supposed to inherit from you? A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew. Say that she rail; why then Ill tell her plain, Say that she frown; Ill say she looks as clear. and my cypress-wood chests are filled with quilted bedspreads, expensive clothes, bed curtains and canopies. What may I call your name? For patience she will prove a second Grissel. She says she'll see you hanged first. In a plush bedroom in the Lord's house, Sly demands a pot of "small ale." (Historical tidbit: "small ale" is the Elizabethan equivalent of cheap, light beer.) When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, 'Frets' call you these? quoth she. other languages as the other in music and mathematics. WIDOW Right, I mean you. No, come back, good Kate. To express the like kindness, myself, that have been more kindly beholding to you than any, freely give unto you this young scholar [presenting LUCENTIO , disguised as CAMBIO ] that hath been long studying at Rheims, as cunning in Greek, Latin, and other languages as the other in music and mathematics. And you, good sir. Really, you're too angry. Youre welcome, sir, and he for your good sake. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Let him that moved you hither, Remove you hence. Petruchio's wooing of Katherine, however, is free of idealism. The Taming of the Shrew - Act 3, scene 1 | Folger Shakespeare Library Let's speak plainly: your father has consented that you will be my wife. It will return, but Petruchio clearly did not miss the mark with his strategy, which capitalizes on her need for acceptance. And through the instrument my pate made way. Language analysis in The Taming of The Shrew | Shakespeare Learning Along with this, she'll get two thousand gold coins a year, which is what my land earns me. I'll wait for her here and woo her forcefully when she comes. Two thousand ducats by the year of land! If she frowns, I'll say that she looks as cheerful as morning roses newly washed with dew. fine linen, Turkish cushions embossed with pearl, gold Venetian draperies, pewter and brass, and everything else you could want for a house or housekeeping. Hey there, inside! I must and will have Katherine for my wife. Then, at my farm I have a hundred milk cows and a hundred and twenty fat oxen in my stables. But for these other goods Unbind my hands, Ill pull them off myself, Yea, all my raiment to my petticoat, Or what you will command me will I do, So well I know my duty to my elders. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Stand back, fickle boy. Benvolio. Refine any search. It were impossible I should speed amiss. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Give me leave. I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, That hearing of her beauty and her wit, Her affability and bashful modesty, Her wondrous qualities and mild behavior, Am bold to show myself a forward guest Within your house, to make mine eye the witness Of that report which I so oft have heard. And, will you, nill you, I will marry you. Too light for such a swain as you to catch. Indeed, I do mean to keep myself warm, sweet Katherine, in your bed. Nor do they wonder why Kate chooses to maintain her behavior. Too bad her son is witless. Scene 2 - CliffsNotes Bianca, stand aside.Poor girl, she weeps! And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful. We say Amen to that! PETRUCHIO enters with HORTENSIO, disguised as a musician. The introductions begin in a whirlwind of deception. Even if you tried, you couldn't frown, glare scornfully, or bite your lip as angry women do, and you take no pleasure in arguments. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? I swear by this light, which lets me see your beautyyour beauty that makes me love youthat you must be married to no man but me. Why, then the maid is mine from all the world. Your dowry is agreed upon. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. The Taming of the Shrew: No Fear Translation | SparkNotes That covenants may be kept on either hand. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Petruchio enthusiastically agrees. In its tail. I will go sit and weep Till I can find occasion of revenge. Why does the world report that Kate doth limp? Father, it's like this: you and everyone else who've talked about her have all been wrong. Act 1, scene 2. Understand every line of The Taming of the Shrew . A curse on your crafty withered hide! Good sister, don't wrong both me and yourself by turning me into a slave. Good sister, wrong me not nor wrong yourself, To make a bondmaid and a slave of me. William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew explained with scene summaries in just a few minutes! that have been more kindly beholding to you than any, studying at Rheims, as cunning in Greek, Latin, and. But enough chatter. Sirrah young gamester, your father were a fool. Though little fire grows great with little wind, Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all. If I may have your daughter for my wife, I will leave her three or four houses in rich Pisa, all of them as good as anything old Sir Gremio has in Padua. Though little fire grows great with little wind. Kates compliance with Petruchios decree may surprise us, but if we consider her as essentially misunderstood by the other characters, her behavior may appear more understandable. Petruchio is my name, Antonios son,A man well known throughout all Italy. KATHERINE enters with BIANCA, whose hands are tied. And where two raging fires meet together. Women are meant for bearing, and so are you. Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchants part,And venture madly on a desperate mart. Call, good Mercutio. All I told her was that she was using the wrong frets, and I bent her hand to teach her the right fingering. [aside] My land amounts not to so much in all. That she shall have, besides an argosy That now is lying in Marcellus' road. I will compound this strife. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! As on a pillory, looking through the lute. Indeed, compared to the other suitors who simply run from Kates temper, Petruchio fires a countering shot at each and every one of her arrows. Father, tis thus: yourself and all the world That talked of her have talked amiss of her. Let's have contracts drawn up between us, so both of us will be sure to keep up our end of the agreement. That thinks with oaths to face the matter out. If your father will second your guarantees, then she's yours. I'll only irritate you if I stay. [As LUCENTIO]Why, then she's mine alone, of all the men in the world, by your firm promise. 'Twill bring you gain or perish on the seas. Sir Baptista, I'm in a bit of a hurry with this business, and I can't come wooing every day. Taming of the Shrew | Act 2, Scene 1 A ct 2, S cene 1 Scene Summary [A room in Signor Baptista's house. KATHERINE A very mean meaning. 'Tis bargained twixt us twain, being alone. You don't limp at all! O, how I long to have some chat with her! If I may have your daughter for my wife, I will leave her three or four houses in rich Pisa, all of them as good as anything old Sir Gremio has in Padua. Good sister, don't wrong both me and yourself by turning me into a slave. I am thus resolved. [Bianca's hands are tied.] Both daughters had arranged marriages by there father. Hello, Katefor that's your name, I hear. I see no reason why the pretend Lucentio shouldn't produce a father, called "pretend Vincentio"and that'll be a miracle. And with that she struck me on the head, so that my head went right through the lute. The group is composed of the gentlemen who were on their way to the pub at the end of the last scene: Gremio with Lucentio (dressed as a schoolmaster), Petruchio with Hortensio (likewise dressed as a schoolmaster), and Tranio (dressed as Lucentio) with Biondello (dressed as his servant). A public square. A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning. I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine. Please, sister Kate, untie my hands. Be patient, gentlemen. Let me continue. Well, gentlemen, I am thus resolved. You plan the feast, father, and invite the guests. Back to the Play "my tongue in your tail!" Wordplay. If I may have your daughter to my wife, Ill leave her houses three or four as good, Within rich Pisa walls, as any one Old Signior Gremio has in Padua, Besides two thousand ducats by the year Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure. What, have I pinched you, Signior Gremio? Undaunted, Petruchio waits for Baptista to send Katherine out to see him. But if it's my jewelry and clothes you wantuntie my hands and I'll pull them off myself, yes, everything down to my underwear. When did she ever speak a single cruel word to you? But be ready for some unpleasant words. Romeo, my cousin Romeo, Romeo! The Taming of the Shrew - Act 1, scene 2 - The Folger SHAKESPEARE Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance, Nor bite the lip as angry wenches will, Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk. Now, I promise you You have showed a tender fatherly regard To wish me wed to one half lunatic, A madcup ruffian and a swearing Jack, That thinks with oaths to face the matter out. The part of the pun you need to know is in bold. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. Petruchio enthusiastically Oh, then you probably prefer money. I tell you, it's incredible how much she loves me, though. So may you lose your arms.If you strike me, you are no gentleman;And if no gentleman, why then no arms. By report I know him well. Although the turning point of the action in a Shakespearean play usually occurs in the third act, here, in Act II, we already witness an emotional turning point for Kate when she fails to refute Petruchios assertion that they are engaged. What's going on, my friend? Kate is like a hazel-twig, straight and slender, her hair is as brown as hazelnuts, and she herself is sweeter than the hazelnut kernels. Of whence, I pray? Or I'll do anything else you command me to do, for I know that it is my duty is to obey my elders. But here she comesand now, Petruchio, speak. Oh, put me in your good books! Romeo! After my death, the one half of my lands. His name is Cambio. 8. Now I fear thee not. Gremio presents his own schoolmaster, the disguised Lucentio, whom he calls Cambio, a master of classical languages. Hortensio jokingly asks Petruchio whether he would like a shrewish, yet rich, wife. What, with my tongue in your tail? If she refuses to marry me, then I'll ask about the date for the announcement and the wedding. If she and I are happy, then what's it to you? But here she comesand now, Petruchio, speak. Baptista arrives and scolds Katherina for torturing her sister. I am a foreigner in this city, but I have come to make myself a suitor to your daughter, the fair and virtuous Bianca. You wrong me, Signior Gremio. Please accept his service. I knew you at the first, For knowing thee to be but young and light. Welcome, good Cambio. These are their tutors. I find you exceedingly gentle. That is everything. Fathers usually father their children, not the other way around. But for these other goods, Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself, I see no reason why the pretend Lucentio shouldn't produce a father, called "pretend Vincentio"and that'll be a miracle. You don't limp at all! You are pleasant, amusing, polite, not sharp-tongued, and as sweet as springtime flowers. It seems strange that Kates independent personality would be willing to accept someone who gives her just as little credit as did the other suitors merely because he can match her wit. And, for that dowry, Ill assure her of Her widowhood, be it that she survive me, In all my lands and leases whatsoever. My wall hangings are of purple tapestry, my ivory chests are stuffed with gold, and my cypress-wood chests are filled with quilted bedspreads, expensive clothes, bed curtains and canopies, fine linen, Turkish cushions embossed with pearl, gold Venetian draperies, pewter and brass, and everything else you could want for a house or housekeeping. If you affect him, sister, here I swear Ill plead for you myself, but you shall have him. I will compound this strife. What, will my daughter turn out to be a good musician? [as LUCENTIO] Gremio, tis known my father hath no less Than three great argosies, besides two galliasses, And twelve tight galleys. I'll be the great gust to her fire, and she will yield to me, for I am rough and don't woo like a child. By Saint George, I probably am too young for you. Why do you look so pale? Believe me, sister, of all the men aliveI never yet beheld that special faceWhich I could fancy more than any other. May I be so bold to. We will be witnesses. Talk not to me. I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine. her for being talkative, and say that she speaks with piercing eloquence. Proceed in practice with my younger daughter. Farewell then. Read more aboutPetruchio and Kates first meeting. In your dumps? Sir Baptista, I'm in a bit of a hurry with this business, and I can't come wooing every day. 'Tis age that nourisheth. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Whereas Hortensio and Gremio make it very clear when they are put off by Kates sharpness, Petruchio amiably covers it up with praise: For shes not froward, but modest as the dove. Then let whoever moved you here come and remove you. Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests. Accept him, or else risk offending me. And as for the education of your daughters, I here contribute a simple instrument and this small pack of Greek and Latin books. PETRUCHIO Very well mended. On the other hand, Petruchio does not respect Kate, or at least he pretends to disrespect her for the sake of the game. having heard your modesty, virtue, and beauty praised in every town, though not as highly as you deserve, I have been moved to court you for my wife. Let me continue.I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, who has heard of your daughter's beauty and wit, her friendliness and bashful modesty, her wondrous talents and mild behavior. But now, Baptista, let's think about your younger daughter. Inexplicably, when Petruchio persists, she actually complies. Match. To express my own gratitude, Iwho am more indebted to you than anyoneoffer you the services of this young scholar. Analyzes how shakespeare's katherina of the taming of the shrew and . Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Oh, you are all just beginners! He agrees also to present Hortensio, in disguise, to Baptista as a music teacher named Litio. your father has consented that you will be my wife. Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2 - playshakespeare.com Scene 1 - CliffsNotes [as LUCENTIO] 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you. You are pleasant, amusing, polite, not sharp-tongued, and as sweet as springtime flowers. Why would you hurt her when she's never done you any harm? First, as you know, my house in the city, which is richly furnished with gold and china, and basins and jugs for her to wash her dainty hands. Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing. I will unto Venice. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! His friend Hortensio suggests that Petruchio woo Katherine. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. Those who talk about me call me Katherine. Please tell me, don't you have a daughter named Katherina, who is fair and virtuous? That I disdain. No, not a whit. And on my side, if I die before she does, as her widow's inheritance she'll get all my lands and the rent from my property. And so I take my leave, and thank you both. And woo her with some spirit when she comes. What, will you not suffer me? But now, Baptista, let's think about your younger daughter. If you should die before him, wheres her dower? Enter Katherina and Bianca (with her hands tied)] Bianca Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself, To make a bondmaid and a slave of me, That I disdain. To conclude, we've gotten along so well together that Sunday will be our wedding day. I choose her for myself. [He presents HORTENSIO, disguised as LITIO]He is skilled in music and mathematics, and can instruct your daughter in these fields of studyin which I know she is no beginner. I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, who has heard of your daughter's beauty and wit, her friendliness and bashful modesty, her wondrous talents and mild behavior. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% You have but jested with me all this while. Synopsis: Petruchio, with his servant Grumio, has just arrived in Padua. Did the goddess Diana ever grace a forest like Kate now graces this room with her queenly walk? 'Tis age that nourisheth. She's not fierce, but as mild as the morning. Oh, I can't wait to talk to her! Hark, Petruchio: she says shell see thee hanged first. [As LUCENTIO]Gremio, it's well known that my father has no fewer than three great merchant ships, along with two large galleys and twelve smaller ones. Ill leave her houses three or four as good, Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.. I think I'll be able to do my master good.