The Taming of the Shrew · Chapter
Scene II explained
On the day of the wedding, Petruchio arrives late and ridiculously dressed, marries Katharina in a chaotic ceremony, and then insists on leaving immediately with her despite everyone's protests, declaring her his property.
What happens
On the day of the wedding, Petruchio arrives late and ridiculously dressed, marries Katharina in a chaotic ceremony, and then insists on leaving immediately with her despite everyone's protests, declaring her his property.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage as Economic Transaction
Baptista's concern over the wedding arrangements and Petruchio's declaration of Katharina as his goods highlight marriage as a property arrangement.
Taming and Obedience
Petruchio's forceful removal of Katharina and his claim to be 'master of what is mine own' initiate the taming process.
Performance and Theatricality
Petruchio's outrageous attire and chaotic wedding behavior are a deliberate performance to assert control and shock society.
Characters to notice
- Katharina
Weeps at Petruchio's delay, resists his attempt to leave after the wedding, but is forced to go with him.
- Petruchio
Arrives late and shabbily dressed, marries Katharina wildly, and asserts his mastery by taking her away.
- Baptista Minola
Anxious about Petruchio's absence, welcomes him despite his attire, and later arranges for Lucentio to take the bridegroom's place at the feast.
- Tranio
Defends Petruchio's intentions, observes the wedding chaos, and plots with Lucentio to secure Bianca.
- Gremio
Reports the outrageous events at the church, calling Petruchio a devil.
- Lucentio
Discusses with Tranio the plan to marry Bianca secretly, and is assigned to replace Petruchio at the wedding feast.
Key passages
“No shame but mine: I must, forsooth, be forced / To give my hand opposed against my heart / Unto a mad-brain rudesby full of spleen;”
The only shame is mine: I am forced to marry a crazy, ill-tempered brute against my will.
Katharina expresses her resentment at being compelled to marry Petruchio.
“She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, / My household stuff, my field, my barn, / My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing;”
She is my property, my belongings—my house, furniture, land, barn, horse, ox, donkey, anything I own.
Petruchio asserts his legal ownership over Katharina after marriage.
“Such a mad marriage never was before:”
There has never been a wedding as crazy as this one.
Gremio describes the chaotic and unconventional ceremony.