Act 2 has a number of episodes that are often funny in the theatre, for example;
-the use of puns in Katherina & Petruchio's argument of which I have explained in previous comments. This has the effect of adding two meanings to each insult for the audience to think about.
-the way that Shakespeare makes Petruchio so focused on wooing Katherina & never giving up even though this is the first time he's met her.
-the unexpected comment "I swear I'll cuff you if you strike again", as Petruchio's mood changes so suddenly it could either be quite terrifying or very humorous- depending on the seriousness of it.
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Friday, 18 November 2011
The Argument p.72:
1) Petruchio flatters Katherina.
2) Insults & comebacks.
3) Katherina strikes Pretuchio.
4) Petruchio loses his patience.
5) Petruchio goes back to flattering Katherina.
6) Petruchio explains that he will marry Katherina, whatever happens.
7) Petruchio talks to Baptista as Katherina tries to interrupt.
8) Katherina gets upset with Baptista.
My sympathy is with Katherina throughout this conflict, for her father has set her up to marry this man who she doesn't know and seems to only want her for money and sex.
2) Insults & comebacks.
3) Katherina strikes Pretuchio.
4) Petruchio loses his patience.
5) Petruchio goes back to flattering Katherina.
6) Petruchio explains that he will marry Katherina, whatever happens.
7) Petruchio talks to Baptista as Katherina tries to interrupt.
8) Katherina gets upset with Baptista.
My sympathy is with Katherina throughout this conflict, for her father has set her up to marry this man who she doesn't know and seems to only want her for money and sex.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Puns in Act 2 Scene 1:
Katherina says that Petruchio is 'a moveable', meaning that he's unpredictable. Then she turns it around to refer to a piece of furniture.
Katherina says 'Asses are made to bear, and so are you' implying that Petruchio is only put to good use when he is doing simple chores, for example carrying possessions. Petruchio then comes back with 'Women are made to bear, and so are you' meaning that women (including Kate) are only useful for reproduction.
Katherina says 'Asses are made to bear, and so are you' implying that Petruchio is only put to good use when he is doing simple chores, for example carrying possessions. Petruchio then comes back with 'Women are made to bear, and so are you' meaning that women (including Kate) are only useful for reproduction.
Act 2 Scene 1: Line 177- end of scene.
Katherina's behaviour:
'Asses are made to bear, and so are you' -Kate is comparing Petruchio to an animal when she has just met him.
'If I be waspish, best beware my sting' -Kate is threatening him, using his last quote.
'And so farewell She turns to go' -Kate quickly dismisses him, whenever she pleases.
'She strikes him' -Kate quickly loses her patience and turns to violence.
'If you strike me, you are no gentleman' -Kate is using Petruchio's gender as an excuse for a one-way battle.
'You crow too like a craven' -Kate is again comparing Petruchio to an animal.
'Am I not wise? Yes, keep you warm' -Kate is implying that Petruchio is not very wise, and is using a hint of sarcasm.
'Call you me 'daughter'?' -Kate is complaining to her father for agreeing to this man meeting her.
Petruchio's behaviour:
'And sometimes Kate the curst. But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom' -Petruchio is implying that, although rumours may be spreading about her, he thinks she's beautiful and he doesn't listen to them.
'Why, what's a moveable?' -Petruchio is patiently faking curiosity about what Katherina is saying, even though he most probably knows that it's intended as an insult towards him.
'I swear I'll cuff you if you strike again' -Petruchio is finally showing his quick witt, and that he means business.
'He holds her' -Petruchio is not taking any violence from this woman.
'I find you passing gentle' -Petruchio quickly goes back to compliments and wooing.
'It is extempore, from my mother-wit' -Petruchio seems to be quite full of himself when it comes to intelligence.
'Asses are made to bear, and so are you' -Kate is comparing Petruchio to an animal when she has just met him.
'If I be waspish, best beware my sting' -Kate is threatening him, using his last quote.
'And so farewell She turns to go' -Kate quickly dismisses him, whenever she pleases.
'She strikes him' -Kate quickly loses her patience and turns to violence.
'If you strike me, you are no gentleman' -Kate is using Petruchio's gender as an excuse for a one-way battle.
'You crow too like a craven' -Kate is again comparing Petruchio to an animal.
'Am I not wise? Yes, keep you warm' -Kate is implying that Petruchio is not very wise, and is using a hint of sarcasm.
'Call you me 'daughter'?' -Kate is complaining to her father for agreeing to this man meeting her.
Petruchio's behaviour:
'And sometimes Kate the curst. But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom' -Petruchio is implying that, although rumours may be spreading about her, he thinks she's beautiful and he doesn't listen to them.
'Why, what's a moveable?' -Petruchio is patiently faking curiosity about what Katherina is saying, even though he most probably knows that it's intended as an insult towards him.
'I swear I'll cuff you if you strike again' -Petruchio is finally showing his quick witt, and that he means business.
'He holds her' -Petruchio is not taking any violence from this woman.
'I find you passing gentle' -Petruchio quickly goes back to compliments and wooing.
'It is extempore, from my mother-wit' -Petruchio seems to be quite full of himself when it comes to intelligence.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
'The Taming of the Shrew': Katherina
In the first 23 lines of Act 2 Scene 1, Katherina shows her brutality. Bianca says "Unbind my hands" implying that Katherina has tied her hands up. Katherina says "Minion, thou liest" accusing her sister of being a lying spoilt brat. The text says that 'Katherina srikes her', her violence being shown.
On page 59, Pretuchio talks to Baptista about Katherina. He says "hearing of her beauty and her wit, her affibility and bashful modesty, her wonderous qualities and mild behaviour" claiming that she is beautiful, witty, pleasant, shy and well behaved. He also says "in those sciences, whereof I know she is not ignorant" implying that Katherina is an achademic girl.
Petruchio offers Baptista all his father's 'lands and goods'. Baptista's condition is that Pretuchio loves Katherina and she him, as that is what matters in tne end.
Petruchio says that, when he meets Katherina, he is planning to 'woo her with some spirit', tell her that all she does is beautiful and magnificent when it's not and "If she deny to wed, i'll crave the day When I shall ask the banns, and when be married" meaning that he would imply that she said yes if she denies him of being his bride.
On page 59, Pretuchio talks to Baptista about Katherina. He says "hearing of her beauty and her wit, her affibility and bashful modesty, her wonderous qualities and mild behaviour" claiming that she is beautiful, witty, pleasant, shy and well behaved. He also says "in those sciences, whereof I know she is not ignorant" implying that Katherina is an achademic girl.
Petruchio offers Baptista all his father's 'lands and goods'. Baptista's condition is that Pretuchio loves Katherina and she him, as that is what matters in tne end.
Petruchio says that, when he meets Katherina, he is planning to 'woo her with some spirit', tell her that all she does is beautiful and magnificent when it's not and "If she deny to wed, i'll crave the day When I shall ask the banns, and when be married" meaning that he would imply that she said yes if she denies him of being his bride.
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