Quotes to show Petruchio's actions & Katherina's reactions during the conflict in Act 4 Scene 3:

Katherina;'get thee gone, thou false deluding slave beats him'

Petruchio; 'Here, take away this dish' 'repaid with thanks, And so shall mine before you touch the meat'
Katherina; 'I pray you, let it stand' 'I thank you sir'

Petruchio; 'Away with it'
Katherina; 'I am no child, no babe' 'I'll have no bigger. This doth fit the time'

Katherina; 'Belike you mean to make a puppet of me'

Act 3: Scene 2: Line 180-end:

How does Petruchio show that he's insistent?
Petruchio calls for his horse quickly before his mind could possibly be changed, 'Grumio, my horse!' This is also a quick and stern request, implying that he is serious and he has no intentions to listen to anyone else's request.

Petruchio then convinces everyone that he wants to take Katherina away in order to protect her. He says 'Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, Kate'.

What is Petruchio's attitude?
Petruchio is implying that Katherina is one of his possessions, now that she is married to him, as much as his 'horse, my ox, my ass, my anything' is. Petruchio thinks that, if she stays here with these people, it would be like they were stealing her from him. This is his reason for taking her with him.

The wedding: Act 3: Scene 2:

In lines 7-25, I find that Katherina shows a different side to her character. Up until now we've seen her as a rude, spoilt woman & this passage makes the audience empathise her. Katherina is being forced 'to give my hand, opposed against my heart'. Then she has been left at the alter which she also upsets her. 'Now the world must point at poor Katherina'; Katherina is feeling sorry for herself, worrying about what a fool others might make of her.

In lines 41-56, it is descibed (by Biondello) how Petruchio will arrive. He arrives on a horse, which suggests that he has only just arrived for the wedding & is almost late. Petruchio is wearing unusual clothing, especially for a wedding, such as; 'an old jerkin', 'a pair of boots that have been candle-cases', an old mothy saddle' on his horse, etc.

In lines 75-113, Petruchio's attitude to the marriage is quite disrespectful. This is shown through the use of clothing & his impatience. Petruchio refuses to change into more appropriate clothing & insits on getting the wedding over with.

In lines 141-173, the focus of the conversation is the happenings of the wedding reported by Gremio. According to him, Petruchio swore at the alter & struck the priest. He also interrupted the viccar's words & kissed Katherina in a very forceful manner.

What's funny?

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.

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.

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.

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.