-- Philip Weller, November 13, 1941 - February 1, 2021
Dr. Weller, an Eastern Washington University professor of English and Shakespearean scholar for more than 50 years.
The Taming of the Shrew: Act 4, Scene 1
Enter GRUMIO.
GRUMIO
1. jades: slacker horses.
1 Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters, 2. ways: roads.
2 and all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? 3. ray'd: dirtied.
3 was ever man so rayed? was ever man so 4 weary? I am sent before to make a fire, and 5 they are coming after to warm them. Now, 6. little pot and soon hot: proverbial for a small person with a quick temper.
6 were not I a little pot and soon hot, my very 7 lips might freeze to my teeth, my tongue to 8 the roof of my mouth, my heart in my belly, 9 ere I should come by a fire to thaw me: but 10. blowing the fire: i.e., keeping myself in a rage.
10 I, with blowing the fire, shall warm myself; 11. taller: —With play on the sense "better, finer."
James Jager, left, as Grumio, and Matthew Ancarrow as Curtis
Image Source: SHAKESPEAREANCES.COM
James Jager, left, as Grumio, and Matthew Ancarrow as Curtis
Image Source: SHAKESPEAREANCES.COM
11 for, considering the weather, a taller man 12 than I will take cold. Holla, ho! Curtis.
Enter CURTIS.
CURTIS
13 Who is that calls so coldly?
GRUMIO
14 A piece of ice: if thou doubt it, thou mayst 15 slide from my shoulder to my heel with no 16 greater a run but my head and my neck. 17 A fire good Curtis.
CURTIS
18 Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio?
GRUMIO
19-20. fire, fire; cast on no water: —See the folk-song round "Scotland's burning," in which the words "Fire, fire!" are followed by "Cast on more water."
19 O, ay, Curtis, ay: and therefore fire, fire; cast 20 on no water.
CURTIS
21 Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported?
GRUMIO
22 She was, good Curtis, before this frost: but, 23 thou knowest, winter tames man, woman 24 and beast; for it hath tamed my old master 25. fellow: i.e., fellow-servant, partner.
25 and my new mistress and myself, fellow Curtis.
CURTIS
26. three-inch fool: —This may be a sex joke. I am no beast: i.e., I am not your fellow beast. —Curtis is deliberately misinterpreting Grumio's previous speech. 27. horn: cuckold's horn(?). —This is certainly a sex joke.
26 Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.
GRUMIO
27 Am I but three inches? why, thy horn is a foot; 28 and so long am I at the least. But wilt thou make 29 a fire, or shall I complain on thee to our mistress, 30 whose hand, she being now at hand, thou shalt 31 soon feel, to thy cold comfort, for being slow in 32. hot office: task of building a fire.
32 thy hot office?
CURTIS
33 I prithee, good Grumio, tell me, how goes the 34 world?
GRUMIO
35 A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine; 36-37. do thy duty, and have thy duty: i.e., if you do your duty, you will be properly rewarded.
36 and therefore fire: do thy duty, and have thy 37 duty; for my master and mistress are almost 38 frozen to death.
CURTIS
39 There's fire ready; and therefore, good Grumio, 40 the news. GRUMIO
41. Jack, boy! ho! boy: —These are the first words of another folk-song round.
41 Why, "Jack, boy! ho! boy!" and as much news 42 as wilt thou.
CURTIS
43. cony-catching: cheating, trickery.
43 Come, you are so full of cony-catching!
GRUMIO
44. caught: Grumio makes a jest out of Curtis' exclamation about "cony-catching."
44 Why, therefore fire; for I have caught 45 extreme cold. Where's the cook? is supper 46. rushes: Used as floor covering.
46 ready, the house trimmed, rushes strewed, 47. fustian: coarse cloth of cotton and flax.
47 cobwebs swept; the serving-men in their new fustian, 48. officer: household servant.
48 their white stockings, and every officer his 49. jacks: (1) servingmen; (2) drinking vessels.
49 wedding-garment on? Be the jacks fair within, the 50. jills: (1) maidservants; (2) small drinking vessels (gills). carpets: tablecloths.
50 jills fair without, the carpets laid, and every thing 51 in order?
CURTIS
52 All ready; and therefore, I pray thee, 53 news. GRUMIO
54 First, know, my horse is tired; my master 55 and mistress fallen out.
CURTIS
56 How?
GRUMIO
57 Out of their saddles into the dirt; and 58. thereby hangs a tale: there is a story connected with that.
58 thereby hangs a tale.
CURTIS
59. Let's ha't: Let's have it; i.e., go on, tell the tale.
59 Let's ha't, good Grumio. GRUMIO
60 Lend thine ear.
CURTIS
61 Here.
GRUMIO
62 There.
[Strikes him.]
CURTIS
63 This is to feel a tale, not to hear a tale.
GRUMIO
64. sensible: (1) showing good sense, reasonable; (2) capable of being felt.
64 And therefore 'tis called a sensible tale: and 65 this cuff was but to knock at your ear, and 66. beseech listening: i.e., make an earnest request that you listen to what I have to say. Inprimis: In the first place. 67. foul: muddy.
66 beseech listening. Now I begin: Inprimis, 67 we came down a foul hill, my master riding 68 behind my mistress—
CURTIS
69. of: on.
69 Both of one horse?
GRUMIO
70 What's that to thee?
CURTIS
71 Why, a horse.
GRUMIO
72 Tell thou the tale: but hadst thou not 73. cross'd: thwarted, interrupted.
73 cross'd me, thou shouldst have heard how her horse 74 fell and she under her horse; thou shouldst 75 have heard in how miry a place, how she was 76. bemoil'd: befouled with mire, covered with mud.
76 bemoil'd, how he left her with the horse upon 77 her, how he beat me because her horse stumbled, 78 how she waded through the dirt to pluck him 79. prayed: i.e., asked for something by saying "please."
79 off me, how he swore, how she prayed, that never 80 prayed before, how I cried, how the horses ran 81 away, how her bridle was burst, how I lost my 
82. crupper: A strap buckled to the back of the saddle and passing under the horse's tail, to prevent the saddle from slipping forward. 82 crupper, with many things of worthy memory, 83 which now shall die in oblivion and thou return 84 unexperienced to thy grave.
CURTIS
85 By this reckoning he is more shrew than
86 she.
GRUMIO
87 Ay; and that thou and the proudest of you all shall88. what: why.
88 find when he comes home. But what talk I of this? 89 Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, 90 Walter, Sugarsop and the rest: let their heads be91. blue coats: The regular dress for menservants.
91 sleekly combed their blue coats brushed and their92. garters: bands used to keep stockings in place. of an indifferent knit: i.e., made of whatever you have on hand.
92 garters of an indifferent knit: let them curtsy 93 with their left legs and not presume to touch a hair 94 of my master's horse-tail till they kiss their 95 hands. Are they all ready?
CURTIS
96 They are.
GRUMIO
97 Call them forth.
CURTIS
98 Do you hear, ho? you must meet my master to99. countenance: pay your respects to. —But Grumio makes a joke by taking the word to mean "put a face on," which it can mean, in other contexts.
99 countenance my mistress.
GRUMIO
100 Why, she hath a face of her own.
CURTIS
101 Who knows not that?
GRUMIO
102 Thou, it seems, that calls for company to103 countenance her.
CURTIS
104. credit: to pay respects to, to honor. —Grumio makes another joke by taking "credit" to mean "extending financial credit."
104 I call them forth to credit her.
Enter four or five SERVINGMEN.
GRUMIO
105 Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them. NATHANIEL
106 Welcome home, Grumio!
PHILIP
107 How now, Grumio!
JOSEPH
108 What, Grumio!
NICHOLAS
109 Fellow Grumio!
NATHANIEL
110 How now, old lad?
GRUMIO
111 Welcome, you;—how now, you;—what, 112 you;—fellow, you;—and thus much 113 for greeting. Now, my spruce companions, 114 is all ready, and all things neat? NATHANIEL
115 All things is ready. How near is our 116 master?
GRUMIO
117 E'en at hand, alighted by this; and therefore 118. Cock's passion: —This casual oath originally meant "by God's (Christ's) suffering," but here it has no more religious meaning than "OMG" does now (2016).
118 be not—Cock's passion, silence! I hear my 119 master.
Enter PETRUCHIO and KATE.
PETRUCHIO
120 Where be these knaves? What, no man at door121 To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse!122 Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?
ALL SERVANTS
123 Here, here, sir; here, sir.
PETRUCHIO
124 Here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir!125. logger-headed: blockheaded.
125 You logger-headed and unpolish'd grooms!126 What, no attendance? no regard? no duty?127 Where is the foolish knave I sent before?
GRUMIO
128 Here, sir; as foolish as I was before.
PETRUCHIO
129. peasant swain: rascally rustic, lout. malt-horse: a slow, heavy horse.
...more.129 You peasant swain! you whoreson malt-horse drudge!130 Did I not bid thee meet me in the park,131 And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?
GRUMIO
132 Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made,133. pumps: low-cut shoes. unpink'd: without ornamental cutouts in the leather. 134. link: torch. —Burnt-out torches were used for blacking. 135. sheathing: having a sheath made. 136. fine: well dressed.
133 And Gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i' the heel;134 There was no link to colour Peter's hat,135 And Walter's dagger was not come from sheathing:136 There were none fine but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory;137 The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly;138 Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.
PETRUCHIO
139 Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in.
Exeunt Servants.
[Sings.]
140-141. Where is the life ... those: —This is probably the opening of a popular song about a drastic change in someone's way of life.
...more. 142. Soud: an expression of impatience (?). Some editors change the word to "food." 140 "Where is the life that late I led—141 Where are those"—
142 Sit down, Kate, and welcome. Soud, soud, soud, soud! Enter SERVANTS with supper.
143 Why, when, I say? Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry.144 Off with my boots, you rogues! you villains, when?
[Sings.]
145-146. "It was the friar ... way": —This is probably the opening of a bawdy ballad.
147. Out: Exclamation of anger or reproach.
148. mend the plucking of the other: i.e., be sure you do a better job on the other boot.
...more. 147. Out: Exclamation of anger or reproach.
148. mend the plucking of the other: i.e., be sure you do a better job on the other boot.
145 "It was the friar of orders grey,146 As he forth walked on his way"—147 Out, you rogue! you pluck my foot awry:148 Take that, and mend the plucking of the other.
[Strikes him.]
149 Be merry, Kate. Some water, here; what, ho!150 Where's my spaniel Troilus? Sirrah, get you hence,151 And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither:152 One, Kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with.153 Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?
Enter one with water.
154 Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.155 You whoreson villain! will you let it fall?
[Strikes him.]
KATHARINA
156 Patience, I pray you; 'twas a fault unwilling.
PETRUCHIO
157. beetle-headed: blockheaded (beetle = a heavy tool for ramming and pounding). 158. stomach: (1) appetite; (2) temper. 159. give thanks: say grace.
157 A whoreson beetle-headed, flap-ear'd knave!158 Come, Kate, sit down; I know you have a stomach.159 Will you give thanks, sweet Kate; or else shall I?160 What's this? mutton?
First Servant
160 Ay.
PETRUCHIO
160 Who brought it?
PETER
160 I.
PETRUCHIO
161 'Tis burnt; and so is all the meat.162 What dogs are these! Where is the rascal cook?163. dresser: sideboard.
163 How durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser,164 And serve it thus to me that love it not?165. trenchers: wooden dishes or plates.
165 There, take it to you, trenchers, cups, and all;
[Throws the trenchers, etc. at them.]
166. joltheads: blockheads.
166 You heedless joltheads and unmanner'd slaves!167. with you straight: after you straightway (to punish you).
167 What, do you grumble? I'll be with you straight.
KATHARINA
168 I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet:169 The meat was well, if you were so contented.
PETRUCHIO
170 I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away;171 And I expressly am forbid to touch it,172. choler: the humor, or bodily fluid, hot and dry in character, that was thought to make one short-tempered and was thought to be aggravated by the eating of roast meat. 174. of ourselves: by our nature.
172 For it engenders choler, planteth anger;173 And better 'twere that both of us did fast,174 Since, of ourselves, ourselves are choleric,175 Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh.176 Be patient; tomorrow 't shall be mended,177 And, for this night, we'll fast for company:178 Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.
Exeunt.
Enter SERVANTS severally.
NATHANIEL
179 Peter, didst ever see the like?
PETER
180. kills in her own humor: i.e., masters her ill temper with a worse temper.
180 He kills her in her own humor.
Enter CURTIS, a servant.
GRUMIO
181 Where is he?
CURTIS
182. continency: self-control. —Katharina is not going to get any sex, either. 183. rates: scolds.
182 In her chamber, making a sermon of continency to her;183 And rails, and swears, and rates, that she, poor soul,184 Knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak,185 And sits as one new-risen from a dream.186 Away, away! for he is coming hither.
[Exeunt.]
Enter PETRUCHIO.
PETRUCHIO
187. politicly: shrewdly.
187 Thus have I politicly begun my reign,
188 And 'tis my hope to end successfully.
189. sharp: hungry.
189 My falcon now is sharp and passing empty;190. stoop: fly down to the lure (a baited device used to recall a falcon in training).
190 And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,191 For then she never looks upon her lure.192. man: tame. haggard: wild female hawk.
192 Another way I have to man my haggard,193 To make her come and know her keeper's call,194. watch her: keep her watching; i.e., keep her from sleeping. kites: falcons. 195. bate and beat: flap and flutter the wings impatiently. 196. She eat: she ate. —Rhymes with bet.
194 That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites195 That bate and beat and will not be obedient.196 She eat no meat today, nor none shall eat;197 Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not;198 As with the meat, some undeserved fault199 I'll find about the making of the bed;200 And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster,201 This way the coverlet, another way the sheets:202. intend: pretend.
202 Ay, and amid this hurly I intend203 That all is done in reverend care of her;204 And in conclusion she shall watch all night:205 And if she chance to nod I'll rail and brawl206. still: always.
206 And with the clamour keep her still awake.207 This is a way to kill a wife with kindness;208 And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humor.209 He that knows better how to tame a shrew,210. shew: show; i.e., reveal his method.
210 Now let him speak: 'tis charity to shew.
Exit.