← 3.1
Act 3, Scene 2 — The same. Before Baptista’s house.
on stage:
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Original
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The argument Petruchio arrives spectacularly late to his own wedding in grotesque clothes, behaves outrageously throughout the ceremony, and then immediately drags Katherine away before the feast — claiming her as his property.
Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio, Katherina, Bianca, Lucentio and
Attendants.
BAPTISTA. [_To Tranio_.]
Signior Lucentio, this is the ’pointed day
That Katherine and Petruchio should be married,
And yet we hear not of our son-in-law.
What will be said? What mockery will it be
To want the bridegroom when the priest attends
To speak the ceremonial rites of marriage!
What says Lucentio to this shame of ours?
KATHERINA ≋ verse KATHERINA's moment

No shame but mine; I must, forsooth, be forc’d

To give my hand, oppos’d against my heart,

Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen;

Who woo’d in haste and means to wed at leisure.

I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,

Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behaviour;

And to be noted for a merry man,

He’ll woo a thousand, ’point the day of marriage,

Make friends, invite, and proclaim the banns;

Yet never means to wed where he hath woo’d.

Now must the world point at poor Katherine,

And say ‘Lo! there is mad Petruchio’s wife,

If it would please him come and marry her.’

No shame but mine; I must, forsooth, be forc’d To give my hand, oppos’d against my heart, Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen; Who woo’d in haste...

No shame but mine; I must, forsooth, be forc’d To give my hand, oppos’d against my heart, Unto a mad...

No shame but mine; I must, forsooth, be forc’d To give my hand, oppos’d against...

"mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen" Spleen was the organ thought to generate violent, erratic moods. A 'rudesby' is a rude, boorish person — Katherine's description of Petruchio is clinically precise.
Why it matters This is Katherine's most unguarded speech in the play — she speaks genuine hurt and humiliation, not rage. It makes everything Petruchio does when he arrives feel even more calculated.
↩ Callback to 1-1 Katherine's speech about shame echoes her 1-1 complaint about being made 'a stale' — she predicted exactly this humiliation, and it has arrived.
TRANIO ≋ verse TRANIO's moment

Patience, good Katherine, and Baptista too.

Upon my life, Petruchio means but well,

Whatever fortune stays him from his word:

Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise;

Though he be merry, yet withal he’s honest.

Patience, good Katherine, and Baptista too. Upon my life, Petruchio means but well, Whatever fortune stays him from his word: Though he be blunt, I kn...

Patience, good Katherine, and Baptista too. Upon my life, Petruchio means but well, Whatever fortune...

Patience, good Katherine, and Baptista too. Upon my life, Petruchio means but well, Whatever fortune...

KATHERINA KATHERINA's moment

Would Katherine had never seen him though!

Would Katherine had never seen him though!

Would Katherine had never seen him though!

Would Katherine had never seen him though!

[_Exit weeping, followed by Bianca and others._]
BAPTISTA ≋ verse BAPTISTA's moment

Go, girl, I cannot blame thee now to weep,

For such an injury would vex a very saint;

Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour.

Go, girl, I cannot blame thee now to weep, For such an injury would vex a very saint; Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour.

Go, girl, I cannot blame thee now to weep, For such an injury would vex a very saint; Much more a sh...

Go, girl, I cannot blame thee now to weep, For such an injury would vex...

Enter Biondello.
Master, master! News! old news, and such news as you never heard of!
BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Is it new and old too? How may that be?

Is it new and old too? How may that be?

Is it new and old too? How may that be?

Is it new and old too? How may that be?

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio’s coming?

Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio’s coming?

Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio’s coming?

Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio’s coming?

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Is he come?

Is he come?

Is he come?

Is he come?

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

Why, no, sir.

Why, no, sir.

Why, no, sir.

Why, no, sir.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

What then?

What then?

What then?

What then?

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

He is coming.

He is coming.

He is coming.

He is coming.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

When will he be here?

When will he be here?

When will he be here?

When will he be here?

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

When he stands where I am and sees you there.

When he stands where I am and sees you there.

When he stands where I am and sees you there.

When he stands where I am and sees you there.

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

But say, what to thine old news?

But say, what to thine old news?

But say, what to thine old news?

But say, what to thine old news?

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

Why, Petruchio is coming, in a new hat and an old jerkin; a pair of old

breeches thrice turned; a pair of boots that have been candle-cases,

one buckled, another laced; an old rusty sword ta’en out of the town

armoury, with a broken hilt, and chapeless; with two broken points: his

horse hipped with an old mothy saddle and stirrups of no kindred;

besides, possessed with the glanders and like to mose in the chine;

troubled with the lampass, infected with the fashions, full of

windgalls, sped with spavins, rayed with the yellows, past cure of the

fives, stark spoiled with the staggers, begnawn with the bots, swayed

in the back and shoulder-shotten; near-legged before, and with a

half-checked bit, and a head-stall of sheep’s leather, which, being

restrained to keep him from stumbling, hath been often burst, and now

repaired with knots; one girth six times pieced, and a woman’s crupper

of velure, which hath two letters for her name fairly set down in

studs, and here and there pieced with pack-thread.

Why, Petruchio is coming, in a new hat and an old jerkin; a pair of old breeches thrice turned; a pair of boots that have been candle-cases, one buckl...

Why, Petruchio is coming, in a new hat and an old jerkin; a pair of old breeches thrice turned; a pa...

Why, Petruchio is coming, in a new hat and an old jerkin; a pair of...

"boots that have been candle-cases" Boots worn so thin they were repurposed to hold candles — the most economical image of complete dilapidation Shakespeare ever invented.
"possessed with the glanders" Glanders is a contagious horse disease (nasal discharge, sores). Biondello lists a series of genuine Elizabethan equine ailments: lampass (mouth disease), fashions (skin disease), windgalls (joint swelling), spavins (lameness), staggers (neurological tremors), bots (intestinal parasites). The horse is comprehensively ruined.
BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Who comes with him?

Who comes with him?

Who comes with him?

Who comes with him?

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

O, sir! his lackey, for all the world caparisoned like the horse; with

a linen stock on one leg and a kersey boot-hose on the other, gartered

with a red and blue list; an old hat, and the humour of forty fancies

prick’d in’t for a feather: a monster, a very monster in apparel, and

not like a Christian footboy or a gentleman’s lackey.

O, sir! his lackey, for all the world caparisoned like the horse; with a linen stock on one leg and a kersey boot-hose on the other, gartered with a r...

O, sir! his lackey, for all the world caparisoned like the horse; with a linen stock on one leg and ...

O, sir! his lackey, for all the world caparisoned like the horse; with a linen...

TRANIO ≋ verse TRANIO's moment

’Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion;

Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparell’d.

’Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion; Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparell’d.

’Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion; Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparell’d.

’Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion; Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparell’d.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

I am glad he’s come, howsoe’er he comes.

I am glad he’s come, howsoe’er he comes.

I am glad he’s come, howsoe’er he comes.

I am glad he’s come, howsoe’er he comes.

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

Why, sir, he comes not.

Why, sir, he comes not.

Why, sir, he comes not.

Why, sir, he comes not.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Didst thou not say he comes?

Didst thou not say he comes?

Didst thou not say he comes?

Didst thou not say he comes?

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

Who? that Petruchio came?

Who? that Petruchio came?

Who? that Petruchio came?

Who? that Petruchio came?

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Ay, that Petruchio came.

Ay, that Petruchio came.

Ay, that Petruchio came.

Ay, that Petruchio came.

BIONDELLO BIONDELLO's moment

No, sir; I say his horse comes, with him on his back.

No, sir; I say his horse comes, with him on his back.

No, sir; I say his horse comes, with him on his back.

No, sir; I say his horse comes, with him on his back.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Why, that’s all one.

Why, that’s all one.

Why, that’s all one.

Why, that’s all one.

BIONDELLO ≋ verse BIONDELLO's moment

Nay, by Saint Jamy,

I hold you a penny,

A horse and a man

Is more than one,

And yet not many.

Nay, by Saint Jamy, I hold you a penny, A horse and a man Is more than one, And yet not many.

Nay, by Saint Jamy, I hold you a penny, A horse and a man Is more than one, And yet not many.

Nay, by Saint Jamy, I hold you a penny, A horse and a man Is...

Enter Petruchio and Grumio.
PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

Come, where be these gallants? Who is at home?

Come, where be these gallants? Who is at home?

Come, where be these gallants? Who is at home?

Come, where be these gallants? Who is at home?

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

You are welcome, sir.

You are welcome, sir.

You are welcome, sir.

You are welcome, sir.

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

And yet I come not well.

And yet I come not well.

And yet I come not well.

And yet I come not well.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

And yet you halt not.

And yet you halt not.

And yet you halt not.

And yet you halt not.

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Not so well apparell’d as I wish you were.

Not so well apparell’d as I wish you were.

Not so well apparell’d as I wish you were.

Not so well apparell’d as I wish you were.

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse PETRUCHIO's moment

Were it better, I should rush in thus.

But where is Kate? Where is my lovely bride?

How does my father? Gentles, methinks you frown;

And wherefore gaze this goodly company,

As if they saw some wondrous monument,

Some comet or unusual prodigy?

Were it better, I should rush in thus. But where is Kate? Where is my lovely bride? How does my father? Gentles, methinks you frown; And wherefore gaz...

Were it better, I should rush in thus. But where is Kate? Where is my lovely bride? How does my fath...

Were it better, I should rush in thus. But where is Kate? Where is my...

BAPTISTA ≋ verse BAPTISTA's moment

Why, sir, you know this is your wedding-day:

First were we sad, fearing you would not come;

Now sadder, that you come so unprovided.

Fie! doff this habit, shame to your estate,

An eye-sore to our solemn festival.

Why, sir, you know this is your wedding-day: First were we sad, fearing you would not come; Now sadder, that you come so unprovided. Fie! doff this ha...

Why, sir, you know this is your wedding-day: First were we sad, fearing you would not come; Now sadd...

Why, sir, you know this is your wedding-day: First were we sad, fearing you would...

TRANIO ≋ verse TRANIO's moment

And tell us what occasion of import

Hath all so long detain’d you from your wife,

And sent you hither so unlike yourself?

And tell us what occasion of import Hath all so long detain’d you from your wife, And sent you hither so unlike yourself?

And tell us what occasion of import Hath all so long detain’d you from your wife, And sent you hithe...

And tell us what occasion of import Hath all so long detain’d you from your...

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse PETRUCHIO's moment

Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear;

Sufficeth I am come to keep my word,

Though in some part enforced to digress;

Which at more leisure I will so excuse

As you shall well be satisfied withal.

But where is Kate? I stay too long from her;

The morning wears, ’tis time we were at church.

Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear; Sufficeth I am come to keep my word, Though in some part enforced to digress; Which at more leisure I will...

Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear; Sufficeth I am come to keep my word, Though in some part...

Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear; Sufficeth I am come to keep...

TRANIO ≋ verse TRANIO's moment

See not your bride in these unreverent robes;

Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine.

See not your bride in these unreverent robes; Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine.

See not your bride in these unreverent robes; Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine.

See not your bride in these unreverent robes; Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine.

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

Not I, believe me: thus I’ll visit her.

Not I, believe me: thus I’ll visit her.

Not I, believe me: thus I’ll visit her.

Not I, believe me: thus I’ll visit her.

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.

But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.

But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.

But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse PETRUCHIO's moment

Good sooth, even thus; therefore ha’ done with words;

To me she’s married, not unto my clothes.

Could I repair what she will wear in me

As I can change these poor accoutrements,

’Twere well for Kate and better for myself.

But what a fool am I to chat with you

When I should bid good morrow to my bride,

And seal the title with a lovely kiss!

Good sooth, even thus; therefore ha’ done with words; To me she’s married, not unto my clothes. Could I repair what she will wear in me As I can chang...

Good sooth, even thus; therefore ha’ done with words; To me she’s married, not unto my clothes. Coul...

Good sooth, even thus; therefore ha’ done with words; To me she’s married, not unto...

Why it matters The line 'To me she's married, not unto my clothes' sounds like a charming maxim — and is also a preview of exactly what he's doing: asserting that the content of Katherine is irrelevant; what matters is the institution.
[_Exeunt Petruchio, Grumio and Biondello._]
TRANIO ≋ verse TRANIO's moment

He hath some meaning in his mad attire.

We will persuade him, be it possible,

To put on better ere he go to church.

He hath some meaning in his mad attire. We will persuade him, be it possible, To put on better ere he go to church.

He hath some meaning in his mad attire. We will persuade him, be it possible, To put on better ere h...

He hath some meaning in his mad attire. We will persuade him, be it possible,...

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

I’ll after him and see the event of this.

I’ll after him and see the event of this.

I’ll after him and see the event of this.

I’ll after him and see the event of this.

[_Exeunt Baptista, Gremio and Attendants._]
TRANIO ≋ verse TRANIO's moment

But, sir, to love concerneth us to add

Her father’s liking; which to bring to pass,

As I before imparted to your worship,

I am to get a man,—whate’er he be

It skills not much; we’ll fit him to our turn,—

And he shall be Vincentio of Pisa,

And make assurance here in Padua,

Of greater sums than I have promised.

So shall you quietly enjoy your hope,

And marry sweet Bianca with consent.

But, sir, to love concerneth us to add Her father’s liking; which to bring to pass, As I before imparted to your worship, I am to get a man,—whate’er ...

But, sir, to love concerneth us to add Her father’s liking; which to bring to pass, As I before impa...

But, sir, to love concerneth us to add Her father’s liking; which to bring to...

LUCENTIO ≋ verse LUCENTIO's moment

Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster

Doth watch Bianca’s steps so narrowly,

’Twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage;

Which once perform’d, let all the world say no,

I’ll keep mine own despite of all the world.

Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster Doth watch Bianca’s steps so narrowly, ’Twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage; Which once perform’d, let...

Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster Doth watch Bianca’s steps so narrowly, ’Twere good, methinks...

Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster Doth watch Bianca’s steps so narrowly, ’Twere good,...

TRANIO ≋ verse TRANIO's moment

That by degrees we mean to look into,

And watch our vantage in this business.

We’ll over-reach the greybeard, Gremio,

The narrow-prying father, Minola,

The quaint musician, amorous Licio;

All for my master’s sake, Lucentio.

That by degrees we mean to look into, And watch our vantage in this business. We’ll over-reach the greybeard, Gremio, The narrow-prying father, Minola...

That by degrees we mean to look into, And watch our vantage in this business. We’ll over-reach the g...

That by degrees we mean to look into, And watch our vantage in this business....

Re-enter Gremio.
Signior Gremio, came you from the church?
GREMIO GREMIO's moment

As willingly as e’er I came from school.

As willingly as e’er I came from school.

As willingly as e’er I came from school.

As willingly as e’er I came from school.

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

GREMIO ≋ verse GREMIO's moment

A bridegroom, say you? ’Tis a groom indeed,

A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.

A bridegroom, say you? ’Tis a groom indeed, A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.

A bridegroom, say you? ’Tis a groom indeed, A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.

A bridegroom, say you? ’Tis a groom indeed, A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.

"'Tis a groom indeed, / A grumbling groom" 'Groom' means both bridegroom and a stable-hand. Gremio is saying Petruchio is as crude and bad-mannered as a servant — a pointed social insult delivered in one word.
TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Curster than she? Why, ’tis impossible.

Curster than she? Why, ’tis impossible.

Curster than she? Why, ’tis impossible.

Curster than she? Why, ’tis impossible.

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

Why, he’s a devil, a devil, a very fiend.

Why, he’s a devil, a devil, a very fiend.

Why, he’s a devil, a devil, a very fiend.

Why, he’s a devil, a devil, a very fiend.

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.

Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.

Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.

Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.

GREMIO ≋ verse GREMIO's moment

Tut! she’s a lamb, a dove, a fool, to him.

I’ll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest

Should ask if Katherine should be his wife,

’Ay, by gogs-wouns’ quoth he, and swore so loud

That, all amaz’d, the priest let fall the book;

And as he stoop’d again to take it up,

The mad-brain’d bridegroom took him such a cuff

That down fell priest and book, and book and priest:

‘Now take them up,’ quoth he ‘if any list.’

Tut! she’s a lamb, a dove, a fool, to him. I’ll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest Should ask if Katherine should be his wife, ’Ay, by gogs-wouns...

Tut! she’s a lamb, a dove, a fool, to him. I’ll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest Should ask i...

Tut! she’s a lamb, a dove, a fool, to him. I’ll tell you, Sir Lucentio:...

"Ay, by gogs-wouns" 'God's wounds' — a strong oath sworn on Christ's crucifixion wounds, considered deeply profane in church. Petruchio's choice of oath for his wedding vow is perfectly calibrated to shock.
TRANIO TRANIO's moment

What said the wench, when he rose again?

What said the wench, when he rose again?

What said the wench, when he rose again?

What said the wench, when he rose again?

GREMIO ≋ verse GREMIO's moment

Trembled and shook, for why, he stamp’d and swore

As if the vicar meant to cozen him.

But after many ceremonies done,

He calls for wine: ‘A health!’ quoth he, as if

He had been abroad, carousing to his mates

After a storm; quaff’d off the muscadel,

And threw the sops all in the sexton’s face,

Having no other reason

But that his beard grew thin and hungerly

And seem’d to ask him sops as he was drinking.

This done, he took the bride about the neck,

And kiss’d her lips with such a clamorous smack

That at the parting all the church did echo.

And I, seeing this, came thence for very shame;

And after me, I know, the rout is coming.

Such a mad marriage never was before.

Hark, hark! I hear the minstrels play.

Trembled and shook, for why, he stamp’d and swore As if the vicar meant to cozen him. But after many ceremonies done, He calls for wine: ‘A health!’ q...

Trembled and shook, for why, he stamp’d and swore As if the vicar meant to cozen him. But after many...

Trembled and shook, for why, he stamp’d and swore As if the vicar meant to...

"quaff'd off the muscadel, / And threw the sops all in the sexton's face" Muscadel is a sweet wine; the 'sops' are pieces of cake soaked in wine, traditionally shared at weddings. Petruchio drinks the wine and throws the food at the church official — a deliberate desecration of the wedding sacrament.
[_Music plays._]
Enter Petruchio, Katherina, Bianca, Baptista, Hortensio, Grumio and
Train.
PETRUCHIO ≋ verse PETRUCHIO's moment

Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains:

I know you think to dine with me today,

And have prepar’d great store of wedding cheer

But so it is, my haste doth call me hence,

And therefore here I mean to take my leave.

Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains: I know you think to dine with me today, And have prepar’d great store of wedding cheer But so it is...

Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains: I know you think to dine with me today, And have ...

Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains: I know you think to dine...

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Is’t possible you will away tonight?

Is’t possible you will away tonight?

Is’t possible you will away tonight?

Is’t possible you will away tonight?

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse PETRUCHIO's moment

I must away today before night come.

Make it no wonder: if you knew my business,

You would entreat me rather go than stay.

And, honest company, I thank you all,

That have beheld me give away myself

To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife.

Dine with my father, drink a health to me.

For I must hence; and farewell to you all.

I must away today before night come. Make it no wonder: if you knew my business, You would entreat me rather go than stay. And, honest company, I than...

I must away today before night come. Make it no wonder: if you knew my business, You would entreat m...

I must away today before night come. Make it no wonder: if you knew my...

🎭 Dramatic irony Petruchio calls Katherine 'this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife' — the audience knows she is none of these things yet. He is publicly declaring the woman he intends to make, not the woman who exists.
TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.

Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.

Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.

Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

It may not be.

It may not be.

It may not be.

It may not be.

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

Let me entreat you.

Let me entreat you.

Let me entreat you.

Let me entreat you.

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

It cannot be.

It cannot be.

It cannot be.

It cannot be.

KATHERINA KATHERINA's moment

Let me entreat you.

Let me entreat you.

Let me entreat you.

Let me entreat you.

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

I am content.

I am content.

I am content.

I am content.

KATHERINA KATHERINA's moment

Are you content to stay?

Are you content to stay?

Are you content to stay?

Are you content to stay?

PETRUCHIO ≋ verse PETRUCHIO's moment

I am content you shall entreat me stay;

But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.

I am content you shall entreat me stay; But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.

I am content you shall entreat me stay; But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.

I am content you shall entreat me stay; But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.

KATHERINA KATHERINA's moment

Now, if you love me, stay.

Now, if you love me, stay.

Now, if you love me, stay.

Now, if you love me, stay.

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

Grumio, my horse!

Grumio, my horse!

Grumio, my horse!

Grumio, my horse!

GRUMIO GRUMIO's moment

Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the horses.

Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the horses.

Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the horses.

Ay, sir, they be ready; the oats have eaten the horses.

KATHERINA ≋ verse KATHERINA's moment

Nay, then,

Do what thou canst, I will not go today;

No, nor tomorrow, not till I please myself.

The door is open, sir; there lies your way;

You may be jogging whiles your boots are green;

For me, I’ll not be gone till I please myself.

’Tis like you’ll prove a jolly surly groom

That take it on you at the first so roundly.

Nay, then, Do what thou canst, I will not go today; No, nor tomorrow, not till I please myself. The door is open, sir; there lies your way; You may be...

Nay, then, Do what thou canst, I will not go today; No, nor tomorrow, not till I please myself. The ...

Nay, then, Do what thou canst, I will not go today; No, nor tomorrow, not...

PETRUCHIO PETRUCHIO's moment

O Kate! content thee: prithee be not angry.

O Kate! content thee: prithee be not angry.

O Kate! content thee: prithee be not angry.

O Kate! content thee: prithee be not angry.

KATHERINA ≋ verse KATHERINA's moment

I will be angry: what hast thou to do?

Father, be quiet; he shall stay my leisure.

I will be angry: what hast thou to do? Father, be quiet; he shall stay my leisure.

I will be angry: what hast thou to do? Father, be quiet; he shall stay my leisure.

I will be angry: what hast thou to do? Father, be quiet; he shall stay my leisure.

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.

Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.

Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.

Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.

KATHERINA ≋ verse KATHERINA's moment

Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner:

I see a woman may be made a fool,

If she had not a spirit to resist.

Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner: I see a woman may be made a fool, If she had not a spirit to resist.

Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner: I see a woman may be made a fool, If she had not a spirit t...

Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner: I see a woman may be made a fool,...

Why it matters This is Katherine's most devastating line — she sees exactly what is happening to her and names it. She knows she's being made a fool. And she still can't stop it.
PETRUCHIO ≋ verse PETRUCHIO's moment

They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.

Obey the bride, you that attend on her;

Go to the feast, revel and domineer,

Carouse full measure to her maidenhead,

Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves:

But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.

Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret;

I will be master of what is mine own.

She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house,

My household stuff, my field, my barn,

My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything;

And here she stands, touch her whoever dare;

I’ll bring mine action on the proudest he

That stops my way in Padua. Grumio,

Draw forth thy weapon; we are beset with thieves;

Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man.

Fear not, sweet wench; they shall not touch thee, Kate;

I’ll buckler thee against a million.

They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command. Obey the bride, you that attend on her; Go to the feast, revel and domineer, Carouse full measure to her ...

They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command. Obey the bride, you that attend on her; Go to the feast...

They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command. Obey the bride, you that attend on...

"She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, / My household stuff, my field, my barn" This is legally accurate property language from Elizabethan marriage law — a wife was a husband's chattel (movable property). Petruchio is not being metaphorical. He is reciting her legal status. The comedy and horror of the speech live in the same words.
Why it matters Petruchio's 'she is my goods, my chattels' speech is the play's most contested moment: is this ironic performance to provoke, or does Shakespeare mean it? The play never resolves the question — which is why productions of this scene tell you everything about how a director reads the whole play.
[_Exeunt Petruchio, Katherina and Grumio._]
BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.

Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.

Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.

Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.

Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.

Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.

Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Of all mad matches, never was the like.

Of all mad matches, never was the like.

Of all mad matches, never was the like.

Of all mad matches, never was the like.

LUCENTIO LUCENTIO's moment

Mistress, what’s your opinion of your sister?

Mistress, what’s your opinion of your sister?

Mistress, what’s your opinion of your sister?

Mistress, what’s your opinion of your sister?

BIANCA BIANCA's moment

That, being mad herself, she’s madly mated.

That, being mad herself, she’s madly mated.

That, being mad herself, she’s madly mated.

That, being mad herself, she’s madly mated.

GREMIO GREMIO's moment

I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.

I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.

I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.

I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.

BAPTISTA ≋ verse BAPTISTA's moment

Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants

For to supply the places at the table,

You know there wants no junkets at the feast.

Lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom’s place;

And let Bianca take her sister’s room.

Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants For to supply the places at the table, You know there wants no junkets at the feast. Lucenti...

Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants For to supply the places at the table, You...

Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants For to supply the places at the...

TRANIO TRANIO's moment

Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it?

Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it?

Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it?

Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it?

BAPTISTA BAPTISTA's moment

She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let’s go.

She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let’s go.

She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let’s go.

She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let’s go.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

This scene is Petruchio's opening gambit as a 'tamer': by behaving more outrageously than Katherine ever has, he seizes control of the social narrative. But the scene's most electric moment belongs to Katherine — her speech about shame, delivered before he arrives, is one of the most honest speeches in the play. By the end, when he declares her his 'goods, my chattels,' the comedy has grown genuinely uncomfortable.

If this happened today…

Imagine a wedding where the groom shows up an hour late in ripped jeans and a broken-buckled boot, punches the priest during the ceremony, throws wine at the sexton, and then announces at the reception that he and his new wife are leaving immediately — while she stands there having told everyone he was never going to show up, now mortified to be proved both wrong and right at once. The guests watch him carry her out of the party while he yells that she's his property. Everyone laughs nervously.

Continue to 4.1 →