The Taming of the Shrew

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The beautiful but sharp-tongued Katherina has sworn never to accept the demands of any would-be husband. But when she is pursued by the wily Petruchio, it seems that she has finally met her match. And as he meets her own caustic words with a feigned, capricious cruelty, Katherina quickly comes to understand the absurdity of her shrewish behaviour, in one of the greatest of all comic battles of the sexes.

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[Dramatis Personae Christopher sly, a tinker and beggar, hostess of an alehouse, a lord,  Persons in the a page, servants, huntsmen, Induction players, Baptista, a rich gentleman of Padua Katharina, the shrew, also called Katharine and Kate, Baptista's elder daughter Bianca, Baptista's younger daughter Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona, suitor to Katharina Grumio, Petruchio's servant Curtis, nathaniel, Philip, Joseph, Nicholas, peter, and other servants of Petruchio gremio, elderly suitor to Bianca Hortensio, suitor to Bianca Lucentio, son of Vincentio, in love with Bianca Tranio, Lucentio's servant Biondello, Lucentio's servant Vincentio, a gentleman of Pisa a pedant (or Merchant) of Mantua a widow, courted by Hortensio a tailor a haberdasher an officer Other Servants of Baptista and Lucentio scene: Padua, and Petruchio's country house in Italy; the Induction is located in the countryside and at a Lord's house in England] Induction.1 Location: Before an alehouse and, subsequently, before the Lord's house nearby. (See lines 75, 135.) 1 feeze you i.e., fix you, get even with you 2 A . . . stocks i.e., I'll have you put in the stocks 3 baggage contemptible woman or prostitute. 4 Richard (Sly's mistake for "William.") 5 Paucas Pallabris i.e., pocas palabras, "few words." (Spanish.)  Sessa (Of doubtful meaning, perhaps "be quiet," "cease," or "let it go.") 8 denier French copper coin of little value.  Go . . . Jeronimy (Sly's variation of an often quoted line from Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy, urging caution.) 8-9 go . . . thee (Perhaps a proverb; see King Lear, 3.4.46-7.) 10-11 thirdborough constable. 12 Third (Sly shows his ignorance; the third in "thirdborough" derives from the Old English word frith, "peace.") 13 by law in the law courts. 14 kindly welcome. (Said ironically.) 14.1 Wind Blow 14.2 train retinue. 15 tender care for 16 Breathe Merriman Give the dog Merriman time to recover its breath.  embossed foaming at the mouth from exhaustion 17 couple leash together.  deep-mouthed brach bitch hound with the deep baying voice. 18 made it good i.e., picked up the lost scent 19 in the coldest fault when the scent was lost by a fault or break in the scent. 22 cried . . . loss bayed to signal his recovery of the scent after it had been completely lost [Induction.1] A Enter Beggar (Christopher Sly) and Hostess. sly I'll feeze you, in faith. 1 hostess A pair of stocks, you rogue! 2 sly You're a baggage. The Slys are no rogues. Look in 3 the chronicles; we came in with Richard Conqueror. 4 Therefore paucas pallabris, let the world slide. Sessa! 5 hostess You will not pay for the glasses you have burst? sly No, not a denier. Go by, Saint Jeronimy, go to thy 8 cold bed and warm thee. 9 hostess I know my remedy; I must go fetch the third- 10 borough. [Exit.] 11 sly Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer him 12 by law. I'll not budge an inch, boy. Let him come, and 13 kindly. Falls asleep. 14 Wind horns [within]. Enter a Lord from hunt- ing, with his train. lord Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds. 15 Breathe Merriman--the poor cur is embossed-- 16 And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach. 17 Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good 18 At the hedge corner, in the coldest fault? 19 I would not lose the dog for twenty pound. first huntsman Why, Bellman is as good as he, my lord. He cried upon it at the merest loss, 22 27 sup them well feed them a good supper 34 image likeness (since sleep was regarded as a likeness of death). 35 practice on play a joke on 37 sweet perfumed 38 banquet light repast 39 brave finely arrayed 41 cannot choose is bound to. 43 fancy flight of imagination. 47 Balm Bathe, anoint And twice today picked out the dullest scent. Trust me, I take him for the better dog. lord Thou art a fool. If Echo were as fleet, I would esteem him worth a dozen such. But sup them well and look unto them all. 27 Tomorrow I intend to hunt again. first huntsman I will, my lord. lord [seeing Sly] What's here? One dead, or drunk? See, doth he  breathe? second huntsman [examining Sly] He breathes, my lord. Were he not warmed with ale, This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. lord Oh, monstrous beast, how like a swine he lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! 34 Sirs, I will practice on this drunken man. 35 What think you, if he were conveyed to bed, Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, 37 A most delicious banquet by his bed, 38 And brave attendants near him when he wakes, 39 Would not the beggar then forget himself? first huntsman Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose. 41 second huntsman It would seem strange unto him when he waked. lord Even as a flatt'ring dream or worthless fancy. 43 Then take him up, and manage well the jest. Carry him gently to my fairest chamber, And hang it round with all my wanton pictures. Balm his foul head in warm distilld waters, 47 And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet. Procure me music ready when he wakes, 50 dulcet melodious 51 straight at once 52 reverence bow 56 ewer jug, pitcher.  diaper towel 60 horse horses 61 disease i.e., mental derangement. 63 when . . . is i.e., when he says he must be mad indeed. (The is is stressed.) 65 kindly naturally (and thus persuasively).  gentle kind 66 passing surpassingly 67 husbanded with modesty managed with decorum. 69 As so that.  by as a result of 72 office duty 73 Sirrah (Usual form of address to inferiors.) 74 Belike Perhaps 76 An't If it To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound. 50 And if he chance to speak, be ready straight, 51 And with a low submissive reverence 52 Say, "What is it Your Honor will command?" Let one attend him with a silver basin Full of rosewater and bestrewed with flowers; Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper, 56 And say, "Will 't please Your Lordship cool your  hands?" Someone be ready with a costly suit, And ask him what apparel he will wear; Another tell him of his hounds and horse, 60 And that his lady mourns at his disease. 61 Persuade him that he hath been lunatic, And when he says he is, say that he dreams, 63 For he is nothing but a mighty lord. This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs. 65 It will be pastime passing excellent, 66 If it be husbanded with modesty. 67 first huntsman My lord, I warrant you we will play our part As he shall think by our true diligence 69 He is no less than what we say he is. lord Take him up gently, and to bed with him, And each one to his office when he wakes. 72 [Some bear out Sly.] Sound trumpets [within]. Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds. 73 [Exit a Servingman.] Belike some noble gentleman that means, 74 Traveling some journey, to repose him here. Enter [a] Servingman. How now? Who is it? servingman An't please Your Honor, players 76 That offer service to Your Lordship. 81 So please If it please.  duty expression of respect and dutiful service. 89 happy opportune 90 The rather for the more so since 91 cunning professional skill 93 doubtful apprehensive.  modesties discretion, self-control 94 overeyeing of witnessing 96 merry passion outburst of laughter 100 veriest antic oddest buffoon or eccentric 101 buttery pantry, or a room for storing liquor (in butts) and other provisions Enter Players. lord Bid them come near.--Now, fellows, you are welcome. players We thank Your Honor. lord Do you intend to stay with me tonight? first player So please Your Lordship to accept our duty. 81 lord With all my heart. This fellow I remember Since once he played a farmer's eldest son.-- 'Twas where you wooed the gentlewoman so well. I have forgot your name, but sure that part Was aptly fitted and naturally performed. second player I think 'twas Soto that Your Honor means. lord 'Tis very true. Thou didst it excellent. Well, you are come to me in happy time, 89 The rather for I have some sport in hand 90 Wherein your cunning can assist me much. 91 There is a lord will hear you play tonight. But I am doubtful of your modesties, 93 Lest, overeyeing of his odd behavior-- 94 For yet His Honor never heard a play-- You break into some merry passion 96 And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs, If you should smile, he grows impatient. first player Fear not, my lord, we can contain ourselves, Were he the veriest antic in the world. 100 lord [to a Servingman] Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery, 101 And give them friendly welcome every one. 103 want lack 105 in all suits in every detail. (With a pun on suits of clothes.) 107 do him obeisance show him dutiful respect. 108 him i.e., the page Bartholomew.  as he will if he wishes to 111 by them accomplished performed by the ladies. 121 him himself 125 shift purpose 126 napkin handkerchief.  close secretly 127 in despite i.e., notwithstanding a natural inclination to laugh rather than cry 129 Anon Soon 130 usurp assume 133 And how i.e., and to see how 135 I'll in I'll go in Let them want nothing that my house affords. 103 Exit one with the Players. Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page, And see him dressed in all suits like a lady. 105 That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber, And call him "madam," do him obeisance. 107 Tell him from me, as he will win my love, 108 He bear himself with honorable action Such as he hath observed in noble ladies Unto their lords by them accomplishd. 111 Such duty to the drunkard let him do With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy, And say, "What is't Your Honor will command, Wherein your lady and your humble wife May show her duty and make known her love?" And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses, And with declining head into his bosom, Bid him shed tears, as being overjoyed To see her noble lord restored to health, Who for this seven years hath esteemed him 121 No better than a poor and loathsome beggar. And if the boy have not a woman's gift To rain a shower of commanded tears, An onion will do well for such a shift, 125 Which in a napkin being close conveyed 126 Shall in despite enforce a watery eye. 127 See this dispatched with all the haste thou canst. Anon I'll give thee more instructions. 129 Exit a Servingman. I know the boy will well usurp the grace, 130 Voice, gait, and action of a gentlewoman. I long to hear him call the drunkard husband, And how my men will stay themselves from laughter 133 When they do homage to this simple peasant. I'll in to counsel them. Haply my presence 135 136 spleen mood. (The spleen was the supposed seat of laughter and anger.) Induction.2 Location: A bedchamber in the Lord's house. 0.1 aloft i.e., in the gallery over the rear facade of the stage 1 small weak (and therefore cheap) 2 sack sweet Spanish wine (suited for a gentleman to drink). 3 conserves candied fruit. 7 conserves of beef preserved (salted) beef. 9 doublets men's jackets 11 as that 12 overleather upper leather of the shoe. 13 idle humor foolish whim 18 Burton-heath (Perhaps Barton on the Heath, about sixteen miles from Stratford, the home of Shakespeare's aunt.) 19 cardmaker maker of cards or combs used to prepare wool for spinning 20 bearherd keeper of a performing bear.  tinker pot mender. 21 alewife woman who keeps an alehouse.  Wincot small village about four miles from Stratford. (The parish register shows that there were Hackets living there in 1591.) May well abate the overmerry spleen 136 Which otherwise would grow into extremes. [Exeunt.] [Induction.2] A Enter aloft the drunkard [Sly], with attendants; some with apparel, basin, and ewer and other appurtenances; and Lord. sly For God's sake, a pot of small ale. 1 first servingman Will't please Your Lordship drink a cup of sack? 2 second servingman Will't please Your Honor taste of these conserves? 3 third servingman What raiment will Your Honor wear today? sly I am Christophero Sly. Call not me "Honor" nor "Lordship." I ne'er drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef. 7 Ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear, for I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than 9 legs, nor no more shoes than feet--nay, sometimes more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look 11 through the overleather. 12 lord Heaven cease this idle humor in Your Honor! 13 Oh, that a mighty man of such descent, Of such possessions and so high esteem, Should be infused with so foul a spirit! sly What, would you make me mad? Am not I Christo- pher Sly, old Sly's son of Burton-heath, by birth a 18 peddler, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation 19 a bearherd, and now by present profession a tinker? 20 Ask Marian Hacket, the fat alewife of Wincot, if she 21 22-3 on the score in debt (since such reckonings were originally notched or scored on a stick) 23 sheer nothing but.  score me up for reckon me to be 24 bestraught distracted 29 As as if 31 ancient former 34 beck nod. 35 Apollo i.e., as god of music 39 Semiramis legendary queen of Assyria, famous for her voluptuousness. 40 bestrew i.e., scatter rushes on 41 trapped adorned 45 welkin sky, heavens 47 course hunt the hare 48 breathed in good physical condition, with good wind.  roe small, swift deer. 50 Adonis a young huntsman with whom Venus is vainly in love. (See Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book 10, and Shakespeare's poem, Venus and Adonis.) know me not. If she say I am not fourteen pence on 22 the score for sheer ale, score me up for the lyingest 23 knave in Christendom. What, I am not bestraught: 24 here's-- third servingman Oh, this it is that makes your lady mourn! second servingman Oh, this is it that makes your servants droop! lord Hence comes it that your kindred shuns your house, As beaten hence by your strange lunacy. 29 Oh, noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth. Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment, 31 And banish hence these abject lowly dreams. Look how thy servants do attend on thee, Each in his office ready at thy beck. 34 Wilt thou have music? Hark, Apollo plays, Music. 35 And twenty caged nightingales do sing. Or wilt thou sleep? We'll have thee to a couch, Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed On purpose trimmed up for Semiramis. 39 Say thou wilt walk; we will bestrew the ground. 40 Or wilt thou ride? Thy horses shall be trapped, 41 Their harness studded all with gold and pearl. Dost thou love hawking? Thou hast hawks will soar Above the morning lark. Or wilt thou hunt? Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them 45 And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth. first servingman Say thou wilt course, thy greyhounds are as swift 47 As breathed stags, ay, fleeter than the roe. 48 second servingman Dost thou love pictures? We will fetch thee straight Adonis painted by a running brook, 50 Excerpted from The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

A comedy and drama about strained marital relations get Yale's red-carpet treatment. Each volume contains an essay by Harold Bloom and other extras. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

This valuable book "offers students historical avenues of approach to Shakespeare as well as Shakespearean avenues of approach to social history." Besides providing the complete text of The Taming of the Shrew (edited and copiously footnoted by David Bevington), Dolan (Miami Univ.) has collected a wide range of primary historical documents. For example, she offers excerpts from T.E.'s "The Law's Resolution of Women's Rights" (1632), Gouge's "Domestical Duties: Eight Treatises" (1634), and Whately's "Bride-Bush" (1623). This intertextual constellation interrogates the construction of gender in Renaissance culture and will foster heated debates about "marriage, women, and domesticity." Dolan makes these texts accessible by modernizing and standardizing spelling, punctuation, and paragraphs. Finally, this comprehensive literary storehouse includes seven pages of bibliographic information (primary and secondary sources), 16 illustrations, and insightful commentary introducing the book and accompanying the historical texts. This reviewer eagerly anticipates similar editions from this publisher. J. S. Carducci Winona State University