Act 1, Scene 2 — The Taming of the Shrew

The argument Petruchio arrives in Padua seeking a wealthy wife; hearing of Katherine, he is undeterred by her reputation; the suitors converge and agree to fund his wooing.

Enter Petruchio and his man Grumio.

First appearance

PETRUCHIO

Petruchio speaks with the blunt confidence of a man who has decided not to be embarrassed by anything — he states his mercenary motivations baldly, treats objections as noise, and escalates physical comedy without losing his composure. Watch for how he uses rhetorical lists to overwhelm opposition: 'Have I not heard... Have I not heard...' — piling examples until resistance seems absurd.

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse Petruchio is confident and commanding, ready to change his fortune by getting married.

Verona, for a while I take my leave,

To see my friends in Padua; but of all

My best beloved and approved friend,

Hortensio; and I trow this is his house.

Here, sirrah Grumio, knock, I say.

I'm leaving Verona for a while to visit my friends in Padua. Of all the people I know and respect, Hortensio is my best friend, and I think this is his house. Grumio, knock on this door. Go on.

I'm heading to Padua to see friends. Hortensio's my best buddy and I think that's his place. Grumio, knock on the door.

grumio knock we're at hortensio's house let's do this

Why it matters This is Petruchio's entrance into the play — he arrives mid-conversation with himself, comfortable, purposeful, and already giving orders.

First appearance

GRUMIO

Grumio is the play's licensed fool — he takes everything literally when convenient, performs outrage when it suits him, and punctures pretension with a single word. Watch for how he delivers the most accurate assessments of any situation while pretending to be confused.

GRUMIO Grumio is witty and obstinate, deliberately misinterpreting Petruchio's command in a verbal stand-off.

Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there any man has rebused your

worship?

Knock, sir? Knock whom? Has someone insulted you that I need to fight?

Knock, sir? Knock who? Did someone disrespect you?

knock who someone insulting you

"rebused your worship" Grumio's comic malapropism for 'abused' — he pretends Petruchio said 'knock someone,' meaning assault them, rather than 'knock on the door.'

PETRUCHIO Petruchio is direct and imperious, ordering Grumio to knock properly.

Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.

Idiot, I mean knock on this door. Loudly.

Idiot, knock on the door. Hard.

knock on the DOOR hard

GRUMIO Grumio continues his wordplay obstruction, refusing to comply literally.

Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you

here, sir?

Knock on you, sir? Why, sir, what am I, sir, to be knocking on you, sir?

Knock on you? Sir, what am I, your punching bag?

knock on YOU what

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse Petruchio is escalating toward violence, making his orders unmistakably clear.

Villain, I say, knock me at this gate;

And rap me well, or I’ll knock your knave’s pate.

Listen, idiot—knock on that gate over there. And knock hard, or I'll crack your skull.

Knock. On the gate. Hard. Or I'll hit you.

knock the gate NOW or i'll hit you

GRUMIO ≋ verse Grumio is resigned and dark, accepting that Petruchio is in a dangerous mood and making a threat back.

My master is grown quarrelsome. I should knock you first,

And then I know after who comes by the worst.

My master's getting angry with me. If I knock on him, he's going to hit me back, and I'll lose that fight.

He's getting violent. If I actually knock, he'll destroy me.

he's mad if i touch him he'll end me

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse Petruchio is frustrated and threatening, playing on music metaphors to threaten Grumio.

Will it not be?

Faith, sirrah, and you’ll not knock, I’ll ring it;

I’ll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it.

Won't you do it? Then I'll have to ring the bell myself. I'll see if you can sing a tune when I'm done with you.

You won't? I'll ring the bell myself. And then maybe you'll sing.

fine i'll ring it and you'll sing when i'm done beating you

"sol, fa, and sing it" Sol and fa are notes in the musical scale — 'ring it' puns on wringing someone's ears (which he immediately does), while 'sol fa' makes the victim 'sing' in pain. The threat is musical as well as physical.

[_He wrings Grumio by the ears._]

GRUMIO Grumio is calling for help, genuinely alarmed at Petruchio's violence.

Help, masters, help! my master is mad.

Help! Somebody help! My master's lost his mind!

Help! He's crazy!

HELP he's insane

PETRUCHIO Petruchio is still commanding, now that someone's answered, his aggression returns to Grumio.

Now, knock when I bid you, sirrah villain!

Now knock when I tell you to, you fool!

Now knock, you idiot!

knock NOW

Enter Hortensio.

HORTENSIO Hortensio is welcoming and surprised, genuinely happy to see his old friends.

How now! what’s the matter? My old friend Grumio! and my good friend

Petruchio! How do you all at Verona?

What's happening? Grumio! Petruchio! How are you? What brings you from Verona?

Petruchio! Grumio! What's going on? How's Verona?

petruchio what are you doing here how are you

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse Petruchio is charming and warm, switching entirely from aggression to social grace with Hortensio.

Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray?

_Con tutto il cuore ben trovato_, may I say.

Hortensio, are you here to break up a fight? I greet you with all my heart, my friend.

Hortensio, thanks for stopping us. Good to see you.

thanks for the help good to see you

"Con tutto il cuore ben trovato" Italian: 'With all my heart, well found' — a warm greeting. Petruchio is showing off his Italian to match Hortensio's social register, and defusing the situation with charm.

HORTENSIO Hortensio is hospitable and trying to restore calm, reassuring Grumio while welcoming Petruchio.

_Alla nostra casa ben venuto; molto honorato signor mio Petruchio._

Rise, Grumio, rise: we will compound this quarrel.

Welcome to my house, my honored friend Petruchio. Grumio, get up. Gentlemen, let's end this quarrel peacefully.

Welcome, Petruchio. Grumio, get up. Let's all calm down.

welcome everyone chill

"Alla nostra casa ben venuto; molto honorato signor mio Petruchio" More Italian: 'To our house, welcome; my most honoured Signior Petruchio.' Shakespeare's audience would have found this mildly impressive/comic — Italian was the language of culture and Padua was famous for its university.

GRUMIO Grumio is hurt and complaining, trying to make his case about Petruchio's unreasonableness.

Nay, ’tis no matter, sir, what he ’leges in Latin. If this be not a

lawful cause for me to leave his service, look you, sir, he bid me

knock him and rap him soundly, sir: well, was it fit for a servant to

use his master so; being, perhaps, for aught I see, two-and-thirty, a

pip out? Whom would to God I had well knock’d at first, then had not

Grumio come by the worst.

Sir, it doesn't matter what he says in fancy Latin. Look, he told me to knock him and hit him hard. That's not a reasonable order for a master to give a servant. I don't know if he's crazy or drunk—

Sir, he's not making sense. He told me to hit him, to knock him around. A master doesn't do that. He's either drunk or—

he told me to knock him that doesn't make sense he's either crazy or drunk

"two-and-thirty, a pip out" A card game image — in the game 'post and pair,' 31 was the winning number; 32 pips meant you'd gone bust. Grumio is calling his master 'over the top' / gone too far.

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse Petruchio is indignant and lying smoothly, flipping the story to make himself the reasonable one.

A senseless villain! Good Hortensio,

I bade the rascal knock upon your gate,

And could not get him for my heart to do it.

He's senseless! Hortensio, I simply asked him to knock on your gate. But I couldn't get him to do it.

He's an idiot! I just asked him to knock. That's all.

i just asked him to knock that's it

GRUMIO Grumio is indignant and exact, pulling out the actual words Petruchio used.

Knock at the gate! O heavens! Spake you not these words plain: ‘Sirrah

knock me here, rap me here, knock me well, and knock me soundly’? And

come you now with ‘knocking at the gate’?

Knock on the gate? But you said plainly: 'Hit me here, knock me here, knock me hard, knock me really hard.' Now you're saying 'knock on the gate'?

Knock on the gate? You said 'hit me, knock me, beat me.' Now suddenly it's 'knock on the gate'?

you said knock me hard now it's knock the gate which is it

PETRUCHIO Petruchio is dismissing Grumio entirely, shutting down his complaint.

Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you.

Shut up and leave, or I'll make you regret it.

Go. Now.

go away

HORTENSIO ≋ verse Hortensio is diplomatic and curious, defending Grumio while trying to understand Petruchio's real purpose.

Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio’s pledge;

Why, this’s a heavy chance ’twixt him and you,

Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio.

And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale

Blows you to Padua here from old Verona?

Petruchio, be patient. Grumio's a good servant—he's been with you forever. Tell me, what happy accident brings you from Verona to here?

Petruchio, come on. Grumio's been with you forever. What brings you to Padua?

grumio's been loyal forever what are you doing in padua

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse Petruchio is matter-of-fact and ambitious, laying out his reason for coming—marriage as a business venture.

Such wind as scatters young men through the world

To seek their fortunes farther than at home,

Where small experience grows. But in a few,

Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me:

Antonio, my father, is deceas’d,

And I have thrust myself into this maze,

Haply to wive and thrive as best I may;

Crowns in my purse I have, and goods at home,

And so am come abroad to see the world.

The same chance that sends young men out into the world looking for their fortune. But, Hortensio, here's my situation: my father Antonio is dead. I've thrown myself into life with one goal: to marry and get rich, if I can. If I can find a rich wife—

I'm here to find a fortune. My father's dead, and I need to marry rich and move forward. If there's a wealthy woman looking for a husband—

my dad died i came here to marry rich and get successful if there's a rich woman—

"thrust myself into this maze" A revealing metaphor — Petruchio describes life as a maze he's throwing himself into, not a journey he's carefully planning. It hints at the controlled chaos that defines everything he does.

HORTENSIO ≋ verse Hortensio is amused and helpful, offering Katherina as a suggestion while hedging his recommendation.

Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee

And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour’d wife?

Thou’dst thank me but a little for my counsel;

And yet I’ll promise thee she shall be rich,

And very rich: but th’art too much my friend,

And I’ll not wish thee to her.

Should I be blunt with you? There's a woman I could suggest—but she has a terrible temperament and she's not beautiful. You wouldn't thank me for the advice. But she is rich, very rich. You're too good a friend, so I won't recommend her.

I could suggest someone. But she's mean and ugly. You'd hate me for it. She's rich, though—very rich. That's why I'm not telling you to marry her.

i know someone but she's horrible and ugly you'd hate me she's rich though

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse Petruchio is bold and confident, declaring that wealth alone is his priority and he can handle any woman.

Signior Hortensio, ’twixt such friends as we

Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know

One rich enough to be Petruchio’s wife,

As wealth is burden of my wooing dance,

Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love,

As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd

As Socrates’ Xanthippe or a worse,

She moves me not, or not removes, at least,

Affection’s edge in me, were she as rough

As are the swelling Adriatic seas:

I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;

If wealthily, then happily in Padua.

Between friends, we don't need many words. If you know a woman rich enough to be my wife, wealth is what matters to me. Even if she's as ugly as mythology's worst, as old as a sibyl, as mean and sharp-tongued as Socrates' wife Xanthippe or worse—she interests me.

Look, between friends, I don't need much. If there's a rich woman, I want her. Ugly? Old? Mean? Doesn't matter. Wealth is everything.

i don't care if she's ugly old or mean if she's rich i want her that's all that matters

"I come to wive it wealthily in Padua" The line that defines Petruchio's self-declared agenda for the entire play. The verb 'to wive it' — to go about finding a wife — has a blunt, transactional quality that's entirely deliberate.

"as foul as was Florentius' love" Reference to the tale of Florent in Gower's Confessio Amantis and Chaucer's Wife of Bath's Tale — a knight forced to wed a hideous hag, who transforms when he treats her well. Shakespeare's audience would catch the irony.

Why it matters 'I come to wive it wealthily in Padua' is the play's thesis statement in Petruchio's mouth — the most economically honest line any Shakespeare hero ever uttered about his marital intentions.

GRUMIO Hortensio is cautious and specific, finally naming Katherina as the candidate.

Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind is: why, give him

gold enough and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby; or an old trot

with ne’er a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as

two-and-fifty horses: why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal.

That woman is Katherina, Baptista's eldest daughter. She's rich but impossible—bad-tempered beyond belief, difficult beyond description.

That's Katherina, Baptista's older daughter. She's rich but completely unbearable.

katherina minola baptista's daughter very rich very difficult

"an old trot" Contemptuous term for an old woman — literally 'old hag.' Grumio's list of grotesqueries is exaggerated comedy, but it also reads as genuinely dehumanising of the potential wife.

HORTENSIO ≋ verse Petruchio is energized and confident, treating difficulty as a challenge rather than an obstacle.

Petruchio, since we are stepp’d thus far in,

I will continue that I broach’d in jest.

I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife

With wealth enough, and young and beauteous;

Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman:

Her only fault,—and that is faults enough,—

Is, that she is intolerable curst,

And shrewd and froward, so beyond all measure,

That, were my state far worser than it is,

I would not wed her for a mine of gold.

That doesn't scare me. Difficult women are interesting. If her father's willing to let me court her, that's enough for me.

I like a challenge. If her father says yes, I'm in.

difficult is interesting if her dad allows it i'm in

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse Hortensio is surprised and skeptical but helpful, pointing Petruchio toward Baptista.

Hortensio, peace! thou know’st not gold’s effect:

Tell me her father’s name, and ’tis enough;

For I will board her, though she chide as loud

As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.

You'll need to talk to Baptista. He's looking for suitors for her because his younger daughter, Bianca, is perfect but he won't let anyone marry her until Katherina is married. Come on, let's find him.

You need to talk to Baptista. He's trying to get Katherina married so Bianca can get married. Let's find him.

talk to baptista he's looking for suitors let's go

HORTENSIO ≋ verse Petruchio is assured and ready, accepting the terms of the challenge.

Her father is Baptista Minola,

An affable and courteous gentleman;

Her name is Katherina Minola,

Renown’d in Padua for her scolding tongue.

Perfect. Let's go.

Let's go.

let's go

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse Tranio/Lucentio is smoothly deceptive, playing his new role as a young gentleman perfectly.

I know her father, though I know not her;

And he knew my deceased father well.

I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her;

And therefore let me be thus bold with you,

To give you over at this first encounter,

Unless you will accompany me thither.

Gentlemen, we've just arrived in Padua. My servant Cambio and I were hoping to study here. We're looking for lodging and to meet some people. Is this a private discussion?

Hey, we just got to Padua. We're looking for a place to live and some educational opportunities. Can we join?

we just got here we're looking for lodging and education can we hang

GRUMIO Hortensio is cautious and sizing up this newcomer, polite but guarded.

I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. O’ my word, and she

knew him as well as I do, she would think scolding would do little good

upon him. She may perhaps call him half a score knaves or so; why,

that’s nothing; and he begin once, he’ll rail in his rope-tricks. I’ll

tell you what, sir, and she stand him but a little, he will throw a

figure in her face, and so disfigure her with it that she shall have no

more eyes to see withal than a cat. You know him not, sir.

Welcome to Padua. I'm Hortensio. This is Petruchio, just arrived from Verona. He's also looking for a wife. You're a scholar?

Hey, welcome. I'm Hortensio. This is Petruchio from Verona. You're a student?

welcome i'm hortensio this is petruchio you're studying

"he'll rail in his rope-tricks" Grumio's garbled version of 'rhetoric' — or perhaps genuinely 'rope tricks,' referring to the verbal acrobatics Petruchio performs. Either reading signals that Petruchio fights with language as much as with action.

HORTENSIO ≋ verse Tranio is suave and articulate, playing the role of a wealthy young scholar.

Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee,

For in Baptista’s keep my treasure is:

He hath the jewel of my life in hold,

His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca,

And her withholds from me and other more,

Suitors to her and rivals in my love;

Supposing it a thing impossible,

For those defects I have before rehears’d,

That ever Katherina will be woo’d:

Therefore this order hath Baptista ta’en,

That none shall have access unto Bianca

Till Katherine the curst have got a husband.

I'm Lucentio from Pisa, son of Vincentio. I came to study virtue and philosophy, but I have to admit that since arriving, I've been distracted by the beautiful women of this city.

I'm Lucentio, Vincentio's son from Pisa. I came to study but I'm pretty distracted by your women here.

i'm lucentio son of vincentio i came to study but wow the women here

GRUMIO ≋ verse Hortensio is friendly and scheming, immediately seeing a potential ally.

Katherine the curst!

A title for a maid of all titles the worst.

Lucentio, you have good timing. There are two sisters—one is available and beautiful, one is unavailable and difficult. The difficult one needs to be married first. Maybe you'd like to help us find her a husband?

You're in luck. There are two sisters. One's perfect but unavailable. The other's a nightmare but rich. We're trying to get her married. Help us?

perfect timing there's two sisters one's impossible one's perfect but locked away help us with the impossible one

HORTENSIO ≋ verse Petruchio is bold and direct, claiming himself as the solution.

Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace,

And offer me disguis’d in sober robes,

To old Baptista as a schoolmaster

Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca;

That so I may, by this device at least

Have leave and leisure to make love to her,

And unsuspected court her by herself.

I'll marry the difficult one. That's why I came—to find a wife with money. Let's go meet Baptista.

I'll marry her. That's why I'm here. Let's find her father.

i'll marry her let's go meet baptista

GRUMIO Hortensio is skeptical and testing, not quite believing Petruchio's confidence.

Here’s no knavery! See, to beguile the old folks, how the young folks

lay their heads together!

You? Marry Katherina? She's impossible. But let's go. Maybe watching her will convince you.

You think you can handle her? Let's go see.

you think you can handle her let's see

Enter Gremio and Lucentio disguised, with books under his arm.

Master, master, look about you: who goes there, ha?

HORTENSIO

Peace, Grumio! It is the rival of my love. Petruchio, stand by awhile.

GRUMIO

A proper stripling, and an amorous!

"A proper stripling, and an amorous" Grumio mocks Lucentio's conventional good looks and his moony demeanor — 'stripling' means a young lad, 'amorous' was already slightly ridiculous when applied to self-important young men.

GREMIO ≋ verse

O! very well; I have perus’d the note.

Hark you, sir; I’ll have them very fairly bound:

All books of love, see that at any hand,

And see you read no other lectures to her.

You understand me. Over and beside

Signior Baptista’s liberality,

I’ll mend it with a largess. Take your papers too,

And let me have them very well perfum’d;

For she is sweeter than perfume itself

To whom they go to. What will you read to her?

O! very well; I have perus’d the note. Hark you, sir; I’ll have them very fairly bound: All books of love, see that at any hand, And see you read no o...

O! very well; I have perus’d the note. Hark you, sir; I’ll have them very fairly bound: All books of...

O! very well; I have perus’d the note. Hark you, sir; I’ll have them very...

🎭 Dramatic irony Gremio gives Lucentio-in-disguise careful instructions to read only love poetry to Bianca and to plead his case — not realising this 'tutor' is his direct romantic rival. The audience watches the trap spring itself.

LUCENTIO ≋ verse

Whate’er I read to her, I’ll plead for you,

As for my patron, stand you so assur’d,

As firmly as yourself were still in place;

Yea, and perhaps with more successful words

Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir.

Whate’er I read to her, I’ll plead for you, As for my patron, stand you so assur’d, As firmly as yourself were still in place; Yea, and perhaps with m...

Whate’er I read to her, I’ll plead for you, As for my patron, stand you so assur’d, As firmly as you...

Whate’er I read to her, I’ll plead for you, As for my patron, stand you...

GREMIO

O! this learning, what a thing it is.

GRUMIO

O! this woodcock, what an ass it is.

"this woodcock" The woodcock was proverbially stupid, easily caught by its own curiosity in snares. Grumio's aside directly echoes Gremio's line about 'this learning' — the parallel structure is the joke.

PETRUCHIO

Peace, sirrah!

HORTENSIO

Grumio, mum! God save you, Signior Gremio!

GREMIO ≋ verse

And you are well met, Signior Hortensio.

Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola.

I promis’d to enquire carefully

About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca;

And by good fortune I have lighted well

On this young man; for learning and behaviour

Fit for her turn, well read in poetry

And other books, good ones, I warrant ye.

And you are well met, Signior Hortensio. Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola. I promis’d to enquire carefully About a schoolmaster for the...

And you are well met, Signior Hortensio. Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola. I promis’d...

And you are well met, Signior Hortensio. Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista...

HORTENSIO ≋ verse

’Tis well; and I have met a gentleman

Hath promis’d me to help me to another,

A fine musician to instruct our mistress:

So shall I no whit be behind in duty

To fair Bianca, so belov’d of me.

’Tis well; and I have met a gentleman Hath promis’d me to help me to another, A fine musician to instruct our mistress: So shall I no whit be behind i...

’Tis well; and I have met a gentleman Hath promis’d me to help me to another, A fine musician to ins...

’Tis well; and I have met a gentleman Hath promis’d me to help me to...

GREMIO

Belov’d of me, and that my deeds shall prove.

[_Aside._] And that his bags shall prove.

HORTENSIO ≋ verse

Gremio, ’tis now no time to vent our love:

Listen to me, and if you speak me fair,

I’ll tell you news indifferent good for either.

Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,

Upon agreement from us to his liking,

Will undertake to woo curst Katherine;

Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.

Gremio, ’tis now no time to vent our love: Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, I’ll tell you news indifferent good for either. Here is a gentleman...

Gremio, ’tis now no time to vent our love: Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, I’ll tell you new...

Gremio, ’tis now no time to vent our love: Listen to me, and if you...

GREMIO ≋ verse

So said, so done, is well.

Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?

So said, so done, is well. Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse

I know she is an irksome brawling scold;

If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.

I know she is an irksome brawling scold; If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.

GREMIO

No, say’st me so, friend? What countryman?

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse

Born in Verona, old Antonio’s son.

My father dead, my fortune lives for me;

And I do hope good days and long to see.

Born in Verona, old Antonio’s son. My father dead, my fortune lives for me; And I do hope good days and long to see.

Born in Verona, old Antonio’s son. My father dead, my fortune lives for me; And I do hope good days ...

Born in Verona, old Antonio’s son. My father dead, my fortune lives for me; And...

GREMIO ≋ verse

O sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange!

But if you have a stomach, to’t a God’s name;

You shall have me assisting you in all.

But will you woo this wild-cat?

O sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange! But if you have a stomach, to’t a God’s name; You shall have me assisting you in all. But will you...

O sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange! But if you have a stomach, to’t a God’s name; Yo...

O sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange! But if you have...

PETRUCHIO

Will I live?

GRUMIO

Will he woo her? Ay, or I’ll hang her.

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse

Why came I hither but to that intent?

Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?

Have I not in my time heard lions roar?

Have I not heard the sea, puff’d up with winds,

Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?

Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,

And heaven’s artillery thunder in the skies?

Have I not in a pitched battle heard

Loud ’larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets’ clang?

And do you tell me of a woman’s tongue,

That gives not half so great a blow to hear

As will a chestnut in a farmer’s fire?

Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.

Why came I hither but to that intent? Think you a little din can daunt mine ears? Have I not in my time heard lions roar? Have I not heard the sea, pu...

Why came I hither but to that intent? Think you a little din can daunt mine ears? Have I not in my t...

Why came I hither but to that intent? Think you a little din can daunt...

"fear boys with bugs" 'Bugs' were bogeymen or scary stories used to frighten children — Petruchio is saying: save that for the timid ones. He is emphatically not a boy.

Why it matters Petruchio's 'Have I not heard' speech establishes his central rhetorical weapon — the overwhelm of accumulation — which he will deploy against Katherine herself in Act 2.

[_Aside_] For he fears none.

GREMIO ≋ verse

Hortensio, hark:

This gentleman is happily arriv’d,

My mind presumes, for his own good and yours.

Hortensio, hark: This gentleman is happily arriv’d, My mind presumes, for his own good and yours.

HORTENSIO ≋ verse

I promis’d we would be contributors,

And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe’er.

I promis’d we would be contributors, And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe’er.

GREMIO

And so we will, provided that he win her.

GRUMIO

I would I were as sure of a good dinner.

Enter Tranio brave, and Biondello.

TRANIO ≋ verse

Gentlemen, God save you! If I may be bold,

Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way

To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?

Gentlemen, God save you! If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?

Gentlemen, God save you! If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way To the ...

Gentlemen, God save you! If I may be bold, Tell me, I beseech you, which...

BIONDELLO

He that has the two fair daughters; is’t he you mean?

TRANIO

Even he, Biondello!

GREMIO

Hark you, sir, you mean not her to—

TRANIO

Perhaps him and her, sir; what have you to do?

PETRUCHIO

Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.

TRANIO

I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let’s away.

[_Aside_] Well begun, Tranio.

HORTENSIO ≋ verse

Sir, a word ere you go.

Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?

Sir, a word ere you go. Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?

TRANIO

And if I be, sir, is it any offence?

GREMIO

No; if without more words you will get you hence.

TRANIO ≋ verse

Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free

For me as for you?

Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free For me as for you?

GREMIO

But so is not she.

TRANIO

For what reason, I beseech you?

GREMIO ≋ verse

For this reason, if you’ll know,

That she’s the choice love of Signior Gremio.

For this reason, if you’ll know, That she’s the choice love of Signior Gremio.

HORTENSIO

That she’s the chosen of Signior Hortensio.

TRANIO ≋ verse

Softly, my masters! If you be gentlemen,

Do me this right; hear me with patience.

Baptista is a noble gentleman,

To whom my father is not all unknown;

And were his daughter fairer than she is,

She may more suitors have, and me for one.

Fair Leda’s daughter had a thousand wooers;

Then well one more may fair Bianca have;

And so she shall: Lucentio shall make one,

Though Paris came in hope to speed alone.

Softly, my masters! If you be gentlemen, Do me this right; hear me with patience. Baptista is a noble gentleman, To whom my father is not all unknown;...

Softly, my masters! If you be gentlemen, Do me this right; hear me with patience. Baptista is a nobl...

Softly, my masters! If you be gentlemen, Do me this right; hear me with patience....

🎭 Dramatic irony Tranio, speaking as Lucentio to the assembled suitors, argues eloquently for his right to court Bianca — he is literally the real Lucentio's servant, deploying his master's identity and his master's cause in the same breath.

GREMIO

What, this gentleman will out-talk us all.

LUCENTIO

Sir, give him head; I know he’ll prove a jade.

PETRUCHIO

Hortensio, to what end are all these words?

HORTENSIO ≋ verse

Sir, let me be so bold as ask you,

Did you yet ever see Baptista’s daughter?

Sir, let me be so bold as ask you, Did you yet ever see Baptista’s daughter?

TRANIO ≋ verse

No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two,

The one as famous for a scolding tongue

As is the other for beauteous modesty.

No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two, The one as famous for a scolding tongue As is the other for beauteous modesty.

No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two, The one as famous for a scolding tongue As is the other for...

No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two, The one as famous for...

PETRUCHIO

Sir, sir, the first’s for me; let her go by.

GREMIO ≋ verse

Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules,

And let it be more than Alcides’ twelve.

Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules, And let it be more than Alcides’ twelve.

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse

Sir, understand you this of me, in sooth:

The youngest daughter, whom you hearken for,

Her father keeps from all access of suitors,

And will not promise her to any man

Until the elder sister first be wed;

The younger then is free, and not before.

Sir, understand you this of me, in sooth: The youngest daughter, whom you hearken for, Her father keeps from all access of suitors, And will not promi...

Sir, understand you this of me, in sooth: The youngest daughter, whom you hearken for, Her father ke...

Sir, understand you this of me, in sooth: The youngest daughter, whom you hearken for,...

TRANIO ≋ verse

If it be so, sir, that you are the man

Must stead us all, and me amongst the rest;

And if you break the ice, and do this feat,

Achieve the elder, set the younger free

For our access, whose hap shall be to have her

Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.

If it be so, sir, that you are the man Must stead us all, and me amongst the rest; And if you break the ice, and do this feat, Achieve the elder, set ...

If it be so, sir, that you are the man Must stead us all, and me amongst the rest; And if you break ...

If it be so, sir, that you are the man Must stead us all, and...

HORTENSIO ≋ verse

Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive;

And since you do profess to be a suitor,

You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman,

To whom we all rest generally beholding.

Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive; And since you do profess to be a suitor, You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman, To whom we all rest ...

Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive; And since you do profess to be a suitor, You must, as w...

Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive; And since you do profess to...

TRANIO ≋ verse

Sir, I shall not be slack; in sign whereof,

Please ye we may contrive this afternoon,

And quaff carouses to our mistress’ health;

And do as adversaries do in law,

Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.

Sir, I shall not be slack; in sign whereof, Please ye we may contrive this afternoon, And quaff carouses to our mistress’ health; And do as adversarie...

Sir, I shall not be slack; in sign whereof, Please ye we may contrive this afternoon, And quaff caro...

Sir, I shall not be slack; in sign whereof, Please ye we may contrive this...

GRUMIO, BIONDELLO

O excellent motion! Fellows, let’s be gone.

HORTENSIO ≋ verse

The motion’s good indeed, and be it so:—

Petruchio, I shall be your _ben venuto_.

The motion’s good indeed, and be it so:— Petruchio, I shall be your _ben venuto_.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

The play's engine has arrived. Petruchio's cheerful, declared mercenarianism — 'I come to wive it wealthily in Padua' — is either the most honest thing in the play or its most troubling. Everyone around him treats Katherine's temperament as a disqualifier; he treats it as irrelevant. The audience leaves this scene unsure whether to laugh, be impressed, or be deeply worried.

If this happened today…

Picture a guy in a group chat who hears his friends venting about a coworker — 'she's brilliant but impossible to work with, we've all tried' — and responds: 'Honestly? If the compensation package is right, I'll take the role.' The friends are half-appalled, half-relieved. He's not pretending to be heroic about it; he's just genuinely indifferent to the difficulty everyone else is terrified of. The Grumio-and-Petruchio bickering at the door is the same energy as a guy who shows up to a job interview twenty minutes late and somehow still gets the offer.

Continue to 2.1 →