THE TAMING OF THE SHREW - ACT 1 SCENE 2

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW - by William Shakespeare

Scene 2 begins with Petruchio and his servant Grumio. In my mind, Grumio is a little bit like Amelia Bedelia. He is always getting things twisted around and can't give a straight answer to save his life. For example, Petruchio tells Grumio to "knock me here soundly" which means to knock on the gate. Grumio takes his words literally which results in having his ears twisted! Whose gate are they knocking at? Bianca's suitor Hortensio who is Petruchio's good friend. Tuck that away in your mind. We'll revisit that in a few weeks! So what brings Petruchio to Pudua? Petruchio's father is dead, he is searching for a wife, and to expand his fortune. Hortensio jumps at this. Remember his problem? Bianca cannot be married until Katherine is! He tells Petruchio about Katherine, her sharp tongue and her money. Petruchio is game for the challenge. After all money is involved! I love his answer to the suitors where he tells them he's heard a lion roar, the sea puffed up with winds, heaven's thunder, and on . He ends with his assurance that Katherine's tongue is nothing compared to these things. The suitors marvel at him and agree to pay his courting expenses for what he is about to do. As a last note, Lucentio and Tranio seem to be settling into their new roles well.