The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2
Enter PETRUCHIO and his man GRUMIO.
PETRUCHIO
1
Verona, for a while I take my leave, 2
To see my friends in Padua, but of all 3
My best beloved and approved friend,4. trow: believe.
4
Hortensio; and I trow this is his house. 5
Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say.
GRUMIO
6
Knock, sir! whom should I knock? is there man has7. rebus'd: "Abused" would make sense, but Grumio is putting on a show of being an ignorant servant.
7
rebused your worship?
PETRUCHIO
8,11,12. me: i.e., for me (but Grumio misunderstands, or pretends to).
8
Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.
GRUMIO
9
Knock you here, sir! why, sir, what am I, sir, that 10
I should knock you here, sir?
PETRUCHIO
11
Villain, I say, knock me at this gate 12
And rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate.
GRUMIO
13
My master is grown quarrelsome. I should knock you first, 14
And then I know after who comes by the worst.
PETRUCHIO
15
Will it not be?16. ring: With play on wring.
16
Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll ring it;17. I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it: i.e., I'll make you cry out, howl.
17
I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it.
He wrings him by the ears.
GRUMIO
18
Help, masters, help! my master is mad.
PETRUCHIO
19. sirrah villain: i.e., little Mr. Rascal.
19
Now, knock when I bid you, sirrah villain!
Enter HORTENSIO.
HORTENSIO
20
How now! what's the matter? My old friend 21
Grumio! and my good friend Petruchio! 22
How do you all at Verona?
PETRUCHIO
23
Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray?24. Con tutto il cuore, ben trovato: with all my heart, well met. Apparently Shakespeare believes that since Padua is in Italy, the characters ought to speak a little Italian.
24
Con tutto il cuore, ben trovato, may I say.
HORTENSIO
25-26. Alla nostra casa ben venuto, / Molto honorato signor mio Petruchio: Welcome to our house, my most honored Signor Petruchio. 27. compound: settle.
25
Alla nostra casa ben venuto, 26
Molto honorato signor mio Petruchio. 27
Rise, Grumio, rise: we will compound this quarrel.
GRUMIO
28. 'leges: alleges. Latin: The joke is that Grumio, an Italian, thinks (or pretends to think) that when Petruchio speaks in Italian he's using a fancy-pants language that can't be understood by real people: Latin.
28
Nay, 'tis no matter, sir, what he 'leges in Latin. 29
if this be not a lawful case for me to leave his 30
service, look you, sir, he bid me knock him and 31
rap him soundly, sir: well, was it fit for a servant 32
to use his master so, being perhaps, for aught I see,33. two and thirty, a pip out: slang for "drunk" (deriving from the card game trentuno, or one and thirty; peep = pip, a spot on a playing card, and a peep out = off by one).
33
two and thirty, a pip out? Whom would to God I 34
had well knock'd at first, then had not Grumio 35
come by the worst.
Graham Abbey as Petruchio
Wayne Best as Grumio
PETRUCHIO
36
A senseless villain! Good Hortensio, 37
I bade the rascal knock upon your gate 38
And could not get him for my heart to do it.
GRUMIO
39
Knock at the gate! O heavens! Spake you 40
not these words plain, "Sirrah, knock me here, 41
rap me here, knock me well, and knock me 42
soundly"? And come you now with, "knocking 43
at the gate"?
PETRUCHIO
44
Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you.
HORTENSIO
45. pledge: surety.
45
Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio's pledge:
46. this': this is. heavy chance: sad accidental quarrel.
46
Why, this' a heavy chance 'twixt him and you,47. ancient: of long standing. pleasant: i.e., prone to making amusing remarks.
47
Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio. 48
And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale 49
Blows you to Padua here from old Verona?
PETRUCHIO
50
Such wind as scatters young men through the world, 51
To seek their fortunes farther than at home52. in a few: in short.
52
Where small experience grows. But in a few, 53
Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me: 54
Antonio, my father, is deceased;55. maze: i.e., this new, exciting, and confusing world away from home. 56. Happily: haply, perchance.
55
And I have thrust myself into this maze, 56
Happily to wive and thrive as best I may:57. crowns: silver coins.
57
Crowns in my purse I have and goods at home, 58
And so am come abroad to see the world.
HORTENSIO
59. come roundly: speak plainly.
59
Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee60. ill-favor'd: unpopular, widely disliked.
60
And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favor'd wife? 61
Thou'ldst thank me but a little for my counsel: 62
And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich 63
And very rich: but thou'rt too much my friend, 64
And I'll not wish thee to her.
PETRUCHIO
65
Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we 66
Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know 67
One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife,68. burden: i.e., ground base or undersong.
68
As wealth is burden of my wooing dance,69. foul: ugly. Florentius' love: a hag. ...more
69
Be she as foul as was Florentius' love,70. Sibyl: prophetess of Cumae, who lived about a thousand years. ...more shrowd: shrewd; i.e., shrewish. 71. Xanthippe: Socrates' notoriously shrewish wife. 72. moves: disturbs, troubles.
70
As old as Sibyl and as curst and shrowd 71
As Socrates' Xanthippe, or a worse, 72
She moves me not, or not removes, at least, 73
Affection's edge in me, were she as rough 74
As are the swelling Adriatic seas: 75
I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; 76
If wealthily, then happily in Padua.
GRUMIO
77
Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his78. mind: intention.
78
mind is: Why give him gold enough and marry him to79. puppet: child's doll. aglet-baby: an aglet in the shape of a person? ...more trot: steet-walker; common prostitute.
79
a puppet or an aglet-baby; or an old trot with ne'er 80
a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases 81
as two and fifty horses: why, nothing comes amiss,82. withal: with it.
82
so money comes withal.
HORTENSIO
83
Petruchio, since we are stepp'd thus far in,84. that: that which.
84
I will continue that I broach'd in jest. 85
I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife 86
With wealth enough and young and beauteous, 87
Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman: 88
Her only fault, and that is faults enough, 89
Is that she is intolerable curst 90
And shrewd and froward, so beyond all measure91. state: financial situation.
91
That, were my state far worser than it is, 92
I would not wed her for a mine of gold.
PETRUCHIO
93
Hortensio, peace! thou know'st not gold's effect: 94
Tell me her father's name and 'tis enough;95. board her: make advances to her (literally, come alongside a ship in order to attack). chide: rail, brawl.
95
For I will board her, though she chide as loud 96
As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.
HORTENSIO
97
Her father is Baptista Minola, 98
An affable and courteous gentleman: 99
Her name is Katharina Minola,100
Renown'd in Padua for her scolding tongue.
PETRUCHIO
101
I know her father, though I know not her;102
And he knew my deceased father well.103
I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her;104
And therefore let me be thus bold with you105. give you over: leave you.
105
To give you over at this first encounter,106
Unless you will accompany me thither.
GRUMIO
107. humor: mood, whim.
107
I pray you, sir, let him go while the humor lasts.108
O' my word, an she knew him as well as I do, she109
would think scolding would do little good upon him:110
she may perhaps call him half a score knaves or so:111. an he begin once: if he gets started
111
why, that's nothing; an he begin once, he'll rail in112. rope-tricks: malapropism for "rhetorics" ??
112
his rope-tricks. I'll tell you what sir, an she113. stand: withstand. figure: figure of speech ?? ...more
113
stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in114
her face and so disfigure her with it that she115. withal: with. no more eyes . . . than a cat: This is puzzling, as cats are renowned for having excellent eyes.
115
shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat.116
You know him not, sir.
HORTENSIO
117
Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee,118. in Baptista's keep: in Baptista's keeping; in Baptista's stronghold.
118
For in Baptista's keep my treasure is:119
He hath the jewel of my life in hold,120
His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca,121
And her withholds from me and other more,122
Suitors to her and rivals in my love,123
Supposing it a thing impossible,124. For those defects I have before rehearsed: because of those terrible qualities (of Katharina) that I have already told you about.
124
For those defects I have before rehearsed,125
That ever Katharina will be woo'd;126
Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en,127
That none shall have access unto Bianca128
Till Katharina the curst have got a husband.
GRUMIO
129
Katharina the curst!130
A title for a maid of all titles the worst.
HORTENSIO
131. grace: a favor.
131
Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace,132
And offer me disguised in sober robes133
To old Baptista as a schoolmaster134. seen: skilled, versed.
134
Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca;135
That so I may, by this device, at least136. Have leave and leisure to make love to her: have the opportunity and time to woo her. 137. unsuspected; i.e., without anyone suspecting that it's really me.
136
Have leave and leisure to make love to her137
And unsuspected court her by herself.
GRUMIO
138
Here's no knavery! See, to beguile the old folks,139
how the young folks lay their heads together!
Enter GREMIO, and LUCENTIO
disguised [as a schoolmaster].
140
Master, master, look about you: who goes there, ha?
HORTENSIO
141. the rival of my love: i.e., my rival in my pursuit of Bianca.
141
Peace, Grumio! it is the rival of my love.142
Petruchio, stand by a while.
GRUMIO
143. proper stripling: handsome young man. Grumio is mocking old Gremio.
143
A proper stripling and an amorous!
GREMIO
144. note: Maybe a list of books for Bianca.
144
O, very well; I have perused the note.145. I'll have them very fairly bound: i.e., see that they have handsome bindings. 146. see that at any hand: make sure of that in any case. 147. read no other lectures: teach no other lessons.
145
Hark you, sir: I'll have them very fairly bound:146
All books of love, see that at any hand;147
And see you read no other lectures to her:148
You understand me: over and beside149. liberality: i.e., generous payment for serving as Bianca's schoolmaster. 150. mend it with a largess: add to it with a liberal gift of money. paper: the "note" of line 144? 151. them: i.e., the books.
149
Signior Baptista's liberality,150
I'll mend it with a largess. Take your paper too,151
And let me have them very well perfumed152
For she is sweeter than perfume itself153
To whom they go to. What will you read to her?
LUCENTIO
154
Whate'er I read to her, I'll plead for you155
As for my patron, stand you so assured,156. As firmly as yourself were still in place: as securely as if you yourself were always present.
156
As firmly as yourself were still in place:157
Yea, and perhaps with more successful words158. a scholar: a person able to read and write.
158
Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir.
GREMIO
159
O this learning, what a thing it is!
GRUMIO
160. woodcock: A bird easily caught, hence proverbial for stupidity.
160
O this woodcock, what an ass it is!
PETRUCHIO
161
Peace, sirrah!
HORTENSIO
162
Grumio, mum! God save you, Signior Gremio.
GREMIO
163
And you are well met, Signior Hortensio.164. Trow: Know.
164
Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola.165
I promised to inquire carefully166
About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca:167
And by good fortune I have lighted well168
On this young man, for learning and behavior169
Fit for her turn, well read in poetry170
And other books, good ones, I warrant ye.
HORTENSIO
171
'Tis well; and I have met a gentleman172. Hath: who has.
172
Hath promised me to help me to another,173
A fine musician to instruct our mistress;174
So shall I no whit be behind in duty175
To fair Bianca, so beloved of me.
GREMIO
176
Beloved of me; and that my deeds shall prove.
GRUMIO
177. bags: i.e., money bags.
177
And that his bags shall prove.
HORTENSIO
178. vent: express.
178
Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love:179. fair: courteously, civilly.
179
Listen to me, and if you speak me fair,180. indifferent: equally.
180
I'll tell you news indifferent good for either.181
Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,182. Upon agreement from us to his liking: given that we agree to his terms. Apparently Petruchio's terms are that Gremio and Hortensio pay the extra expenses involved in courting Katharina (see lines 214-215, below).
182
Upon agreement from us to his liking,183
Will undertake to woo curst Katharina,184
Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.
GREMIO
185. So said, so done, is well: i.e., good deal, if it's carried out.
185
So said, so done, is well.186
Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?
PETRUCHIO
187
I know she is an irksome brawling scold:188
If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.
GREMIO
What countryman? i.e., where are you from? Gremio is expressing his surprise at Petruchio's strange attitude.
189
No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman?
PETRUCHIO
190
Born in Verona, old Antonio's son:191
My father dead, my fortune lives for me;192
And I do hope good days and long to see.
GREMIO
193
O sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange!194. if you have a stomach: i.e., if you have the courage for it, and a taste for combat. to't a' God's name: i.e., have at it, by God!
194
But if you have a stomach, to't a' God's name:195
You shall have me assisting you in all.196
But will you woo this wild-cat?
PETRUCHIO
196
Will I live?
GRUMIO
197
Will he woo her? ay, or I'll hang her.
PETRUCHIO
198
Why came I hither but to that intent?199
Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?200
Have I not in my time heard lions roar?201
Have I not heard the sea puff'd up with winds202. chafed: irritated.
202
Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?203. ordnance: cannon.
203
Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,204
And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies?205
Have I not in a pitched battle heard206. 'larums: alarums, calls to arms.
206
Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?207
And do you tell me of a woman's tongue,208. blow: bang, boom. The "blow" of a roasted chestnut would be a pop, like the popping of a single kernel of popcorn. 210. fear boys with bugs: frighten children with bugbears, bogeymen.
208
That gives not half so great a blow to hear209
As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire?210
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.
GRUMIO
210
For he fears none.
GREMIO
211
Hortensio, hark:212. happily: fortunately, just when needed.
212
This gentleman is happily arrived,213
My mind presumes, for his own good and ours.
HORTENSIO
214
I promised we would be contributors215. charge: expense.
215
And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er.
GREMIO
216
And so we will, provided that he win her.
GRUMIO
217
I would I were as sure of a good dinner.stage direction. brave: finely dressed.
Enter TRANIO brave [disguised as Lucentio],
and BIONDELLO.
TRANIO
218
Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold,219
Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest way220
To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?
BIONDELLO
221
He that has the two fair daughters: is't he you mean?
TRANIO
222
Even he, Biondello.
GREMIO
223
Hark you, sir; you mean not her to
TRANIO
224. him and her: i.e., both Baptista Minola and his daughter. what have you to do? what is it to you?
224
Perhaps, him and her, sir: what have you to do?
PETRUCHIO
225
Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.
TRANIO
226
I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let's away.
LUCENTIO [Aside.]
227
Well begun, Tranio.
HORTENSIO
227
Sir, a word ere you go;228
Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?
TRANIO
229
And if I be, sir, is it any offence?
GREMIO
230
No; if without more words you will get you hence.
TRANIO
231
Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free232
For me as for you?
GREMIO
232
But so is not she.
TRANIO
233
For what reason, I beseech you?
GREMIO
233
For this reason, if you'll know,234
That she's the choice love of Signior Gremio.
HORTENSIO
235
That she's the chosen of Signior Hortensio.
TRANIO
236. Softly: Gently.
236
Softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen,237. right: justice.
237
Do me this right; hear me with patience.238
Baptista is a noble gentleman,239
To whom my father is not all unknown;240
And were his daughter fairer than she is,241
She may more suitors have and me for one.242. Fair Leda's daughter: Helen of Troy.
245. Paris: Trojan prince who won Helen of Troy from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta. came: were to come. speed: succeed.
245. Paris: Trojan prince who won Helen of Troy from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta. came: were to come. speed: succeed.
242
Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers;243
Then well one more may fair Bianca have:244
And so she shall; Lucentio shall make one,245
Though Paris came in hope to speed alone.
GREMIO
246
What! this gentleman will out-talk us all.
LUCENTIO
247. give him head: I know he'll prove a jade: i.e., let him trot on: I know he'll turn out to be a quitter.
247
Sir, give him head: I know he'll prove a jade.
PETRUCHIO
248
Hortensio, to what end are all these words?
HORTENSIO
249
Sir, let me be so bold as ask you,250
Did you yet ever see Baptista's daughter?
TRANIO
251
No, sir; but hear I do that he hath two,252
The one as famous for a scolding tongue253
As is the other for beauteous modesty.
PETRUCHIO
254
Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by.
GREMIO
255
Yea, leave that labor to great Hercules;256. Alcides' twelve: i.e., the twelve labors of Hercules. Hercules was also known as "Alcides" because he was the descendant of Alcaeus.
256
And let it be more than Alcides' twelve.
PETRUCHIO
257. sooth: truth.
257
Sir, understand you this of me in sooth:258. you hearken for: i.e. you are hoping to see.
258
The youngest daughter whom you hearken for259
Her father keeps from all access of suitors,260
And will not promise her to any man261
Until the elder sister first be wed:262
The younger then is free and not before.
TRANIO
263
If it be so, sir, that you are the man264. Must stead: who must help.
264
Must stead us all and me amongst the rest,265
And if you break the ice and do this feat,266
Achieve the elder, set the younger free267-268. whose hap . . . have her: i.e., he who has the good fortune to win Bianca will not be such a jerk that he won't give Petruchio a payoff.
267
For our access, whose hap shall be to have her268
Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.
HORTENSIO
269. conceive: understand.
269
Sir, you say well and well you do conceive;270
And since you do profess to be a suitor,271. gratify: requite, reward.
271
You must, as we do, gratify this gentleman,272. generally: as a whole. beholding: beholden, indebted.
272
To whom we all rest generally beholding.
TRANIO
273
Sir, I shall not be slack: in sign whereof,274. contrive: pass the time.
274
Please ye we may contrive this afternoon,275. quaff carouses: drink toasts.
275
And quaff carouses to our mistress' health,276. adversaries: i.e., lawyers on opposite sides of a case. 277. Strive: compete.
276
And do as adversaries do in law,277
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
GRUMIO, BIONDELLO
278. motion: suggestion.
278
O excellent motion! Fellows, let's be gone.
HORTENSIO
279
The motion's good indeed and be it so,280. ben venuto: welcome; i.e., host.
280
Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto.
Exeunt.