PETRUCHIO

Petruchio’s speeches and analyses.
The Taming of the Shrew

Petruchio | Act 4, Scene 1 | 124-147

Thus have I politicly begun my reign…

Oxford School | rev. 1992

Source
Arden 3 | Barbara Hodgdon. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2010.

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                                        180
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.                                          185
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                                            190
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl                                                 195
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                                     200

Thought Counts
Arden 3 | 2010

Thoughts |TBD

Short: 2
Medium: 4
Long: 2
Total: 10

End-stopped: 10
Mid-line: 0

Periods: 10
Exclamations: 0
Questions: 0
Unfinished: 0

Objective

 

Helena needs the audience to

Notes
Arden 3 | 2010

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                                        180
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.                                          185
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                                            190
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl                                                 195
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                                     200

Given Circumstances
Arden 3 | 2010

Thoughts |TBD

Short: 0
Medium: 7
Long: 1
Total: 8

End-stopped: 8
Mid-line: 0

Periods: 8
Exclamations: 0
Questions: 0
Unfinished: 0

Objective

 

Helena needs the audience to

Thoughts
Arden 3 | 2010

PETRUCHIO
1. Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
2. My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                                        180
For then she never looks upon her lure.
3. Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.                                          185
4. She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
5. As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                                            190
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
6. Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl                                                 195
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
7. This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
8. He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                                     200

Line Analysis
Arden 3 | 2010

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,                                11    (Thusbegunreign)
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.                                 10R
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,                        11w
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                   10 | 10R (not, full)
For then she never looks upon her lure.                               10R
Another way I have to man my haggard,                              11w
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:                   10R
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites                     10R
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.                       11w | 12 (obedi’nt)
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.                         10R
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.              11w
As with the meat, some undeservèd fault                             10R | 10 (as)
I’ll find about the making of the bed,                                     10R
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                        11w
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.                     12   (this)
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend                                               10R | 10 (ay)
That all is done in reverend care of her.                                   10R
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,                           10R | 10 (she, all)
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,                            10R
And with the clamour keep her still awake.                           10R
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,                               11w (this)
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.              11w
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,                          10 (he)
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                10R | 10

Exit

Pacing and Tempo
Arden 3 | 2010

PETRUCHIO
Thus ^ have I politicly ^ begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope ^ to end  ^ successfully.    PAUSE?
My falcon now is sharp ^ and passing empty,
And till she stoop ^ she must not be ^ full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.      PAUSE?
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come ^ and know her keeper’s call:
That is, ^ to watch her, ^ as we watch these kites
That bate ^ and beat ^ and will not be obedient.      PAUSE?
She ate no meat today, ^ nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, ^ nor tonight she shall not.  PAUSE?
As with the meat, ^ some undeserved fault →*
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, ^ there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, ^ another way the sheets.      PAUSE?
Ay, ^ and amid this hurly ^ I intend →*
That all is done ^ in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion, ^ she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod ^ I’ll rail and brawl →*
And with the clamour ^ keep her still awake.    PAUSE?
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus^  I’ll curb ^ her mad ^ and headstrong humour.  PAUSE?
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ^ ’tis charity to show.    PAUSE?

Exit

Alliteration
Arden 3 | 2010

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                                        180
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.                                          185
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                                            190
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl                                                 195
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                                     200

Assonance and Rhyme
Arden 3 | 2010

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                                        180
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.                                          185
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                                            190
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl                                                 195
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                                     200

Consonance and Onomatopoeia
Arden 3 | 2010

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                                        180
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.                                          185
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                                            190
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl                                                 195
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                                     200

Rhetoric
Arden 3 | 2010

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                                        180
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.                                          185
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                                            190
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl                                                 195
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                                     200

 

 

imagery

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,

My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.

Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.

She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.

As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.

Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl
And with the clamour keep her still awake.

metaphor

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.

My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.

Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper‘s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.

Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;

He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

simile

Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.  

plain comparison

As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.

The way he will find shortcomings in making of the bed is compared to how he found shortcomings in the mutton.

Through metaphor and simile, Kate is compared to a trainable bird of prey, but this is not really plain comparison.

Similarly, depriving Kate of sleep could be implicitly compared to starving her.  But this is more of an addition than a comparison.

He arguably calls for an alternate remedy, which would prompt a plain comparison.

juxtaposition

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

antithesis

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.

A kind of antithesis of rage versus the protestation of kindness runs through this speech, but strictly speaking there isn’t really any antithesis.

contradiction/paradox

Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;

This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,

personification

n/a

this and that

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.

My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.

Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.

She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.

As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.

Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.

this, that, and another thing

My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.

Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.

1) She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
2) Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
4) As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.

enumerations

As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
1) And here I’ll fling the pillow, 2) there the bolster,
3) This way the coverlet, 4) another way the sheets.

repetitions of words or phrases

her

way

meat

and

not

parenthesis

n/a

irony

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

puns and other wordplay

Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:

onomatopoeia

bate

beat

fling

hurly

rail

brawl

clamour

curb

Before and After
Arden 3 | 2010

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                                        180
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.                                          185
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                                            190
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl                                                 195
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                                     200

Definitions
Arden | 1979

politicly

hope

end

falcon

sharp

passing

empty

stoop

full-gorged

lure

man

haggard

keeper

watch

kites

bate

beat

obedient

meat

bolster

coverlet

hurly

reverend

watch

nod

rail

brawl

clamour

still

kill

kindness

curb

headstrong

humour

shrew

charity

show

Translation
Arden | 1979

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                                        180
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate, and beat, and will not be obedient.                                          185
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                                            190
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her;
And in conclusion she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl                                                 195
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                                     200

Petruchio | Act 4, Scene 1 | 124-147

Thus have I politicly begun my reign…

Oxford School | rev. 1992

Source
Oxford School | Gill, Roma. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990 (rev. 1992)

PETRUCHIO
Thus ^ have I politicly ^ begun my reign,             slowly (htsf)
And ’tis my hope ^ to end  ^ successfully.              pause
My falcon now is sharp ^ and passing empty,         slowly
And till she stoop ^ she must not be ^ full-gorged,    slowly (htsf)
For then she never looks upon her lure.                       pause
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come ^ and know her keeper’s call:
That is, ^ to watch her, ^ as we watch these kites             slowly (mono, htsf)
That bate ^ and beat ^ and will not be obedient.               pause
She ate no meat to-day, ^ nor none shall eat.                   slowly (mostly mono)
Last night she slept not, ^ nor to-night she shall not.           slowly (mostly mono), pause
As with the meat, ^ some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, ^ there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, ^ another way the sheets.             pause
Ay, ^ and amid this hurly ^ I intend
That all is done ^ in reverend care of her.                             pause
And in conclusion, ^ she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod ^ I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour ^ keep her still awake.                  pause
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad ^ and headstrong humour.      pause
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ^ ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Thought Counts
Oxford School | 1992

Thoughts |TBD

Short: 2
Medium: 4
Long: 2
Total: 10

End-stopped: 10
Mid-line: 0

Periods: 10
Exclamations: 0
Questions: 0
Unfinished: 0

Objective

 

Helena needs the audience to

Notes
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1992)

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Given Circumstances
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1992)

Thoughts |TBD

Short: 3
Medium: 4
Long: 2
Total: 9

End-stopped: 8
Mid-line: 1

Periods: 7
Exclamations: 1
Questions: 1
Unfinished: 0

Objective

 

Helena needs the audience to

Thoughts
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1992)

PETRUCHIO
1. Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
2. My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
3. Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
4. She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.
5. Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.
6. As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
7. Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
8. And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
9. This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
10. He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Line Analysis
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1992)

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,                                11    (Thusbegunreign)
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.                                 10R
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,                        11w
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,                   10 | 10R (not, full)
For then she never looks upon her lure.                               10R
Another way I have to man my haggard,                              11w
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:                   10R
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites                     10R
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.                       11w | 12 (obedi’nt)
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.                         10R
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.              11w
As with the meat, some undeservèd fault                             10R | 10 (as)
I’ll find about the making of the bed,                                     10R
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,                        11w
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.                     12   (this)
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend                                               10R | 10 (ay)
That all is done in reverend care of her.                                   10R
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,                           10R | 10 (she, all)
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,                            10R
And with the clamour keep her still awake.                           10R
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,                               11w (this)
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.              11w
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,                          10 (he)
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.                                10R | 10

Exit

Pacing and Tempo
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1992)

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Alliteration
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1992)

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Assonance and Rhyme
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1992)

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Consonance and Onomatopoeia
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1992)

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Rhetoric
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1992)

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Before and After
Oxford School | 1990 (rev. 1990)

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Definitions
Arden | 1979

PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,
To make her come and know her keeper’s call:
That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat.
Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not.
As with the meat, some undeserved fault
I’ll find about the making of the bed,
And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
Ay, and amid this hurly I intend
That all is done in reverend care of her.
And in conclusion, she shall watch all night,
And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl,
And with the clamour keep her still awake.
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,
And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.
He that knows better how to tame a shrew,
Now let him speak; ’tis charity to show.

Exit

Translation
Ian Leung

PETRUCHIO
This is the way I have craftily started by rule,
And it is my desire that it will result in a triumph.

Translation
No Fear Shakespeare

PETRUCHIO
Well, I’ve begun my reign with a carefully thought-out plan, and I have every hope of succeeding. My falcon is now hungry and unfed and must not be given enough to eat until she comes to me, for if her hunger is satisfied, she’ll pay no attention to the bait. I have another plan to make my bird come to me and recognize her owner’s call is to keep her from sleeping—the way trainers do with young hawks that flutter and flap and will not obey. She had no food today and will have none. Last night she got no sleep, and she won’t get any tonight. Just as I did with the meat, I’ll make up some problem with the way the bed is made, and throw the pillow one way and the cushion the other, and the blanket over here and the sheets over there. And through all the shouting and fuss, I’ll swear that it’s all out of love for her. The end result will be that she’ll sit up all night. And if she starts to drop off, I’ll rant and yell until I wake her up. This is how to kill a wife with kindness. And this way I’ll cure her wild and willful nature. If anyone here knows a better way to tame a shrew, speak up, please. It would be much appreciated.

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