Shakespeare's Monologues
Petruchio is a boorish, stubborn, ill-tempered individual who is a gentleman in name only. Despite his less savory qualities, he is an incredibly clever man that never backs down from a challenge.
Petruchio has arrived in Padua in order to find a wife and is told by Hortensio about Katherine. Her description intrigues him and he sets out to claim Katherine as his bride. Petruchio's motivation in wanting to marry Katherine may be up for interpretation, but during their first meeting, in act 2, scene 1, it is clear that they are both equally matched in intelligence and temperament. The following monologue comes towards the end of their battle of wits.
Character description, monologue synopsis and scoring provided by Marc Arricale as part of the Spring 2019 THT 352 class.
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.
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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