posted May 04, 2021 04:04 PM            

The Taming of the Shrew / by William Shakespeare

Act II, Scene I

Padua. A room in BAPTISTA'S house.

PETRUCHIO
Oh, come on now, Kate. Don't look so sour.

KATHARINA
That's my way, when I see a crab-apple.

PETRUCHIO
There's no crab-apple here, so don't look sour.

KATHARINA
Of course there is a crab-apple here.

PETRUCHIO
Then show me.

KATHARINA
I would if I had a mirror.

PETRUCHIO
What do you mean? That my face looks like a crab-apple?

KATHARINA
What a clever child he is!

PETRUCHIO
In the name of Saint George, you're right. I'm probably too young for you.

KATHARINA
Yet your face is wrinkled.

PETRUCHIO
Oh, those wrinkles were made of worries.

KATHARINA
I don't care.

PETRUCHIO
Listen, Kate. You won't get away like that.

KATHARINA
If I stay, I'll make you angry. Let me go.

PETRUCHIO
No, not a bit. I find you quite gentle. I was told that you were rough and disdainful and sullen. And now I see that all these were just lies, for you are pleasant, playful, and extraordinarily courteous. You are not sharp-tongued, but as sweet as flowers in Spring. You don't frown or look displeased or bite your lip as angry women do. You don't take pleasure in angry conversation. But you entertain your suitors with mild and gentle conversation, soft and friendly. And why does the world says that Kate limps? Oh, the world is such a liar! Kate is as straight and slender as a hazel-twig, as brown as hazelnuts, but even sweeter. Oh, let me see you walk. See, you don't limp.

KATHARINA
Leave right now, fool, and give orders to your servants, not me.

PETRUCHIO
Did Diana the goddess ever made a grove as much beautiful as Kate makes this room beautiful with her royal steps? Oh, you should be Diana, and let Diana be Kate. Then let Kate be chaste, while Diana is playful with me.

KATHARINA
Where did you learn to talk like that?

PETRUCHIO
It's spontaneous. I was born with natural wit.

KATHARINA
A witty mother! With a witless son.

PETRUCHIO
Am I not wise?

KATHARINA
Yes, just wise enough to keep yourself warm.

PETRUCHIO
This is what I intend to do, sweet Katharina-in your bed. So, let's put this conversation aside. To put it simply, your father has consented that you become my wife. Your dowry is agreed upon, and whether you like it or not, I will marry you. Now Kate, I tell you, I'm the man for you. I swear by this light, which shows me your beauty-the beauty that makes me love you-that you must be married to no other man but me. For I'm the man who was born to tame you and turn you from a wild Kate into a Kate as domesticated as other household Kates. Here comes your father. Don't even think about refusing. I must and will have Katharina for my wife.

BAPTISTA
Now, Signior Petruchio, how are you getting on with my daughter?

PETRUCHIO
Beautifully, sir, beautifully! It was impossible to go any other way.

BAPTISTA
Then why my daughter you look sad?

KATHARINA
You call me your daughter? I assure you, you've been a great father-wishing that I would be married to this lunatic, a reckless villain who thinks that all he has to do is swear and he'll marry me.

PETRUCHIO
Father this is the truth-you and the rest of the people who have told me about her are all wrong. If she seems fierce, it's for a reason. For she's not obstinate but modest as the dove, not hot-headed but temperate as the morning. She has the patience of the obedient Griselda and the chastity of Rome's Lucretia.
And to conclude, we got along so well that on Sunday is our wedding day!

KATHARINA
I'll see you hanged on Sunday first!

posted July 09, 2021 12:13 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Aries23Degrees:
Can this aspect work in another way?

You meet someone whom you project all the "ugly" qualities on i.e they make one false move - perhaps express very unpalatable views that you do not agree with. Then you think them the devil incarnate?

Now the question would be : are they the devil incarnate or are you inflexible to the idea of anyone that close to you disagreeing with you?

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