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Shakespeare's Monologues

Petruchio

The Taming Of The Shrew: Act 2, Scene 1

Monologue

Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed. 
And therefore, setting all this chat aside, 
Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented 
That you shall be my wife your dowry greed on; 

And will you, nill you, I will marry you. 
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; 

For I am he am born to tame you, Kate, 
And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate 
Conformable as other household Kates. 
 
Here comes your father. Never make denial; 

I must and will have Katherine to my wife.

Scored Monologue

Number of Syllables Scored text Meaning of beat
12 Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in thy bed
[Beginning and end of beat 1] To flirt
10 And therefore, setting  all this chat aside,
[Beginning of beat 2] To compel
11 Thus in plain terms your father hath consented  
11 That you shall be my wife your dowry greed on  [End of beat 2]
10 And will you, nill you, I will marry you. [Beginning and end of beat 3] To vow
10 Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn  [Beginning of Beat 4] To entreat
11 For, by this light, where by I see thy beauty,  
10 Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well,  
10 Thou must be married to no man but me [End of beat 4]
10 For I am he am born to tame you, Kate, [Beginning of beat 5] To boast
10 And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate  
10 Conformable as other house hold Kates. [End of Beat 5]
10 Here comes your father. Never make denial  [Beginning of Beat 6] To sew up
11 I must and will have Katherine to my wife.  [End of beat 6]

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Definitions from David & Ben Crystal / Shakespeare's Words are under copyright, and may not be used without their express permission. All other definitions are from sources in the public domain.
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