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. 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. PETRUCHIO enters with HORTENSIO, disguised as a musician. A vengeance on your crafty withered hide! Test. But thou with mildness entertainst thy wooers, With gentle conference, soft and affable. Good sister, don't wrong both me and yourself by turning me into a slave. Good luck with your wooing. The servant exits with LUCENTIO and HORTENSIO, followed by BIONDELLO. Since Katherina was older she had to get married first. Then she jumped up with impatience and said, "'Frets,' is that what you call them? You must be jokingand now I can see that you've been joking with me this whole time. Fathers commonly Do get their children. 'Twill bring you gain or perish on the seas. Romeo, my cousin Romeo, Romeo! And make sure you don't lie. I am a gentleman. Order your servants aroundnot me. All Site Content Taming of the Shrew Act 2 Scene 1. Is this what you call success? We will have rings, and things, and fine array, And kiss me, Kate. Petruchio and Gremio offer Hortensio and Lucentio as tutors. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. I did but tell her she mistook her frets. [To PETRUCHIO]You're being too blunt. , and is as skilled in Greek, Latin, and other languages as that man is in music and mathematics. No, not a bit. Thou dost not halt. I find you passing gentle. [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. Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests; I will be sure my Katharina shall be fine. You plan the feast, father, and invite the guests. If she frowns, I'll say that she looks as cheerful as morning roses newly washed with dew. I doubt it not, sir, but you will curse your wooing.. Left solely heir to all his lands and goods. If she's a shrew, then it's for some crafty purpose, for she's not naturally willful, but is in fact as modest as a dove. I know him well. If she rants and scolds, I'll tell her that she sings as sweetly as a nightingale. PETRUCHIO and KATE exit at different doors. But as for my daughter Katherine, this much I know: she won't meet your expectationsand that's a pity for me. I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine. 'Tis a world to see, How tame, when men and women are alone, A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew. Give me thy hand, Kate. Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests. 3 That I disdain: but for these other gawds, 4 Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself, 5 Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat; 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. I did but tell her she mistook her frets, And bowed her hand to teach her fingering, When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, 'Frets' call you these? quoth she. She's a quick learner and will be grateful for your help. Undaunted, Petruchio waits for Baptista to send Katherine out to see him. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. And through the instrument my pate made way. You young gambler, your father would be a fool to give you everything and spend his declining years as a dependent in your house. 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. can determine the winner here. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. She is your treasure, she must have a husband. Women are meant for bearing, and so are you. Taming of the shrew is based on a king named Baptista who had two daughters named Katherina and Bianca. Say that she frown; Ill say she looks as clear As morning roses newly washed with dew. Pray, have you not a daughter, You wrong me, Signior Gremio. Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, In the preferment of the eldest sister. So much for our hopes of freeing Bianca. After confirming that a substantial dowry will accompany his successful wooing of Katherine, Petruchio assures Baptista of his abilities. Now, Kate, I'm the only husband for you. I will compound this strife. Even if it keeps blowing forever, the mountain never shakes. your father has consented that you will be my wife. Well, come with me, and don't be discouraged. For patience she will prove a second Grissel, And Roman Lucrece for her chastity. I have now boldly come as a guest to your house to try and see for myself all the things I've heard reported. We will be witnesses. 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. I know not what to say, but give me your hands. By Saint George, I probably am too young for you. You crow too like a craven. So I to her and so she yields to me, For I am rough and woo not like a babe. You plan the feast, father, and invite the guests. As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? [To HORTENSIO as LITIO ] Take you the lute, [To LUCENTIO as CAMBIO ] and you the set of books. Oh, let me see thee walk! HORTENSIO (as LITIO) enters with a cut on his head. Why would you hurt her when she's never done you any harm? Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn, For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty, Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well, Thou must be married to no man but me. Petruchio. All I told her was that she was using the wrong frets, and I bent her hand to teach her the right fingering. And then to dinner. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed. [To HORTENSIO as LITIO] Well, go with me and be not so discomfited. It will return, but Petruchio clearly did not miss the mark with his strategy, which capitalizes on her need for acceptance. GREMIO enters with LUCENTIO, dressed as CAMBIO the poor schoolmaster. And twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms. You wrong me, Signior Gremio. Good morrow, neighbor Gremio.God save you, gentlemen! If she refuses to marry me, then I'll ask about the date for the announcement and the wedding. Oh, let me see you walk, Kate! May God give you joy, Petruchio. Content you, gentlemen. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? And can't young men die as well as old men? Hello, Katefor that's your name, I hear. You must not look so sour. Now I see that she is your treasure. 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. He's well known to me. My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome, 4. Now is the day we long have lookd for. Her silence flouts me, and Ill be revenged. Fathers usually father their children, not the other way around. Test. The Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare, scene summary, scene summaries, chapter summary, chapter summaries, short summary, criticism, literary criticism, review, scene synopsis, interpretation, teaching, lesson plan. You are passing welcome. WIDOW Your husband being troubled with a shrew 30 Measures my husband's sorrow by his woe. God send you joy, Petruchio. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. She must have a husband, dance barefoot on her wedding day and lead apes in hell. We will have rings, and things, and fine clothes, and kiss me, Kate. her for being talkative, and say that she speaks with piercing eloquence. Read The Taming of the Shrew here, with side-by-side No Fear translations into modern English. Baptista arrives and scolds Katherina for torturing her sister. So tell me, Sir Gremio, what can you offer her? Tranio (as Lucentio) If it be so, sir, that you are the man 231. Was there ever a man who suffered like I do? I know him well. [To TRANIO as LUCENTIO ] Now, on the Sunday following, shall Bianca Be bride to you, if you make this assurance. What name should I call you? Than words can witness or your thoughts can guess. A mighty man of Pisa. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. This lesson provides a road map for navigating the wild twists and turns of Act 2, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's ''The Taming of the Shrew.'' This scene propels the main action of the play forward, but . After my death, the one half of my lands. I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% [aside] My land amounts not to so much in all. That she shall have, besides an argosy That now is lying in Marcellus' road. Go about it with more ceremony. For thou are pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous. To smile at scapes and perils overblown. Moved, in good time. Flashcards. Lucentio's marriage to Bianca is prompted by his idealized love of an apparently ideal woman. If she refuses to marry me, then I'll ask about the date for the announcement and the wedding. Kate, shocked, contradicts him, but he ignores her objections and insists to the other men that Katherine cannot keep her hands off him. / She is not hot, but temperate as the morn (II.i.285286). 'Tis a match. I choose her for myself. [As LUCENTIO]That "only" came just in time. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies. Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu. Must stead us all, and me amongst the rest; 232. Both daughters had arranged marriages by there father. SparkNotes PLUS Now listen, Kate: you won't escape like that. Brother Petruchio, sister Katherina, 6. Don't speak to me, I will go cry and wait until I can get my revenge. She must have a husband, while I must dance barefoot on her wedding day and lead apes in hell, all because you love her most. Act 1, scene 2. If you can't, then she'll marry Sir Gremio. I am a gentleman. Discount, Discount Code Well, gentlemen, I am thus resolved. After Petruchio invokes this simile, Kates resistance falters. 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! "The Taming of the Shrew": Act II, Scene 1: Sisters and Suitors (11:23) Tied up, Bianca begs to be released. If she be curst, it is for policy, For shes not froward, but modest as the dove. Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell. [As LUCENTIO]But in ladies' eyes, it's youth that flourishes. He agrees also to present Hortensio, in disguise, to Baptista as a music teacher named Litio. Let us that are poor petitioners speak too. Too bad her son is witless. And as for the education of your daughters, I here contribute a simple instrument and this small pack of Greek and Latin books. Hortensio cuts him off by returning, his head now bleedingapparently, when Hortensio attempted to teach Katherine how to play the lute, she promptly took the instrument and smashed it over his head. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. No, don't misunderstand meI'm just stating the facts. If she deny to wed, Ill crave the day When I shall ask the banns and when be marrid. [To himself]All my land together doesn't add up to that much!Well, from me she'll have all that, plus a merchant ship that's now docked in Marseilles harbor. And may not young men die as well as old? Sirrah, lead these gentlemenTo my daughters, and tell them bothThese are their tutors. I see no reason why the pretend Lucentio shouldn't produce a father, called "pretend Vincentio"and that'll be a miracle. So tell me, if I can win your daughter's love, what dowry will I get when I marry her? It would be impossible to go any other way. All my land together doesn't add up to that much!Well, from me she'll have all that, plus a merchant ship that's now docked in Marseilles harbor. It comes from my natural intelligence. How dare you!Bianca, step away from her.The poor girl, she's weeping! A mighty man of Pisa. Nay, come, Kate, come. If she and I be pleased, whats that to you? Are you a register for gentlemen, Kate? Now, Kate, I'm the only husband for you. And, to pay the price of my admission to your hospitality, I here present you with a servant of mine. But I've bluffed successfully without even a. I think I'll be able to do my master good. Course Hero Literature Instructor Russell Jaffe provides . You won't fight. And, will you, nill you, I will marry you. 'tis a match. She demands that Bianca say which of her suitors she prefers, and when Bianca does not, Katharina slaps her. [To BAPTISTA] Neighbor, this is a very gracious gift, I'm sure. Hey there, inside! Of all thy suitors, here I . 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. Benvolio. Ay, when the special thing is well obtained. What, will my daughter prove a good musician? You are passing welcome,And so I pray you all to think yourselves. Sir, listen to me: I am my father's heir and only son. (one code per order). I was told that you were rough, scornful, and sullen, but now I see that those rumors are lies. Enter KATHERINE and BIANCA, her hands bound. In fact, Petruchio thinks so little of what Kate replies that Gremio, fearing that Petruchios presumptuous confidence will impede his own chances of marrying Bianca, reiterates what Kate initially says to him: Hark, Petruchio, she says shell see thee hanged first (II.i.292). That you shall be my wife, your dowry 'greed on. Whoever can offer my daughter the most wealth and property as her widow's inheritance will have Bianca's love. He is skilled in music and mathematics, and can instruct your daughter in these fields of studyin which I know she is no beginner. Sir Baptista, I'm in a bit of a hurry with this business, and I can't come wooing every day. A little wind will make a little fire great, but a great gust will blow the fire out. That covenants may be kept on either hand. Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchants part. Sir Petruchio, will you come with us, or should I send my daughter Kate to you? 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. and like Beatrice is always making jokes and puns. Ha, it's nonsense! Next Sunday my daughter Katherina is to be married, you know. To express my own gratitude, Iwho am more indebted to you than anyoneoffer you the services of this young scholar. Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you with my daughter? Whence are you, sir? Petruchio's wooing of Katherine, however, is free of idealism. He is wise. Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee? At the beginning of the scene, though, Kate shows that she may have another motive for complying with Petruchio. 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? Now I like her ten times more than I did before. Now they'll either bring you a profit or be lost at sea. Hardly wise enough to keep yourself warm. whence grows this insolence?. Romeo! Nay, I have offered all, I have no more,And she can have no more than all I have. A vengeance on your crafty withered hide! for a group? Oh, pardon me, Sir Gremio. Though little fire grows great with little wind, Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all. But who's this coming? What, you'll leave with my tongue in your tail? Nay, now I see She is your treasure, she must have a husband, I must dance barefoot on her wedding day And, for your love to her, lead apes in hell. [To TRANIO]What, have I silenced you with a ship? Pardon me sir, for the boldness is all my own. Petruchio, with his servant Grumio, has just arrived in Padua. His name is Cambio. Of course, once the most important thing has been obtainedher love, that is. What a slanderous world! May you be successful. Why, no, for she hath broke the lute to me. Good sister, wrong me not nor wrong yourself, To make a bondmaid and a slave of me. Act 2, Scene 1. Myself am struck in years, I must confess. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Achieve the elder, set the younger free 234. PETRUCHIO Very well mended. I am your neighbor, and I was her first suitor. [as LUCENTIO] Of Pisa, sir, son to Vincentio. Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed. I'll now go to Venice to buy clothes for the wedding. And, for your love to her, lead apes in hell. And twice as much whate'er thou offerst next. Petruchio is my name, Antonios son,A man well known throughout all Italy. Too light for a bumpkin like you to catchand yet just as heavy as I should be. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Indeed, I do mean to keep myself warm, sweet Katherine, in your bed. They both continue a 'merry war' against each other, in which Beatrice often wins the battles. If she is silent and won't say a word, then I'll praise her for being talkative, and say that she speaks with piercing eloquence. Sunday comes apace. Six score fat oxen standing in my stalls. What, with my tongue in your tail? No, not a whit. His name is Cambio. [as LUCENTIO] Thats but a cavil: he is old, I young. Yours, if we're telling tall tales of tails. Give me your hand, Kate. But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter. Those who talk about me call me Katherine. That I disdain. Must get a father, called supposed Vincentio. Subscribe now. 'Tis in my head to do my master good. Hark, Petruchio: she says shell see thee hanged first. You'd dare to call me daughter? Her silence at the end of this scene is remarkable. 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. Unbind my hands, Ill pull them off myself. It may be that marriage represents a new beginning for Kate, a chance to take on a new social role and possibly find a more satisfying way to integrate herself into her surroundings. She says to Baptista: She [Bianca] is your treasure, she must have a husband. Eventually, she becomes so enraged that she hits him, but he continues the game just the same, saying that he will marry her whether or not she is willing: will you, nill you, I will marry you (II.i.263). It's off-the-cuff. And as for the education of your daughters, I here contribute a simple instrument and this small pack of Greek and Latin books. I think shell sooner prove a soldier.Iron may hold with her, but never lutes. Do get their children. You are very welcome, sir. Which I have bettered rather than decreased. 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. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I?But who comes here? For shame, you vicious creature, you devil! First, as you know, my house within the city. What, have I discouraged you, Sir Gremio? I'll only irritate you if I stay. If she's a shrew, then it's for some crafty purpose, for she's not naturally willful, but is in fact as modest as a dove. [as LUCENTIO] But youth in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. You may have heard that, but you must be somewhat hard of hearing then. [To KATHERINE]For shame, you vicious creature, you devil! Sometimes it can end up there. Baptista agrees to award Bianca to Lucentio as soon as his father can guarantee the wealth that he has claimed. Summary. Truly, gentlemen, I'm now playing the part of the merchant, and I've made a desperate bargain. This is the day we've been waiting for. Age is what nourishes. We will go walk a little in the orchard, And then to dinner. The two phony schoolmasters leave to ply their trades on Bianca, while Petruchio presses Baptista further for information about Katherine. Welcome, good Cambio. LitCharts Teacher Editions. If she is silent and won't say a word, then I'll praise. Feast with the best, and welcome to my house. Please tell me, don't you have a daughter named Katherina, who is fair and virtuous? Bacare, you are marvelous forward. 'Twill bring you gain or perish on the seas. I order you to tell me which of your suitors you like best. Then let Kate be the chaste one, while Diana is my love. I'm off to Venice. Now I fear thee not. Nay, come again. Why, no, for she hath broke the lute to me. And so I take my leave, and thank you both. 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.) Let's speak plainly: your father has consented that you will be my wife. You lie, in faith, for you are called plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst, But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate For dainties are all Kates and therefore, Kate, Take this of me, Kate of my consolation: Hearing thy mildness praised in every town, Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife.