In Shakespeare's The Taming of the
Shrew, in Act Two, scene one, Petruchio describes how Katharina and he get
along when they are alone: and he lies through his teeth. This is clever because it
covers up the truth of their relationship.
Petruchio says
that while Kate may curse him in public, when they are alone, Kate loves him. She hangs
about his neck, with endless kissing and oath-making. So great was her love that in a
"twink," he fell in love with her. He states that Tranio and Gremino are
novices—"rookies" in the art of wooing a woman. He insists that in private, Kate is
quite tame. He says that in private, even a coward can tame a
shrew.
Tis
bargain'd 'twixt us twain, being alone, (310)
That she shall still be curst
in company.
I tell you, 'tis incredible to believe
How much she
loves me: O, the kindest Kate!
She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss
She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath, (315)
That in a twink
she won me to her love.
O, you are novices! 'Tis a world to see,
How tame, when men and women are alone,
A meacock wretch can make
the curstest shrew.
No comments:
Post a Comment