The Taming of the Shrew · Chapter
Scene III explained
In Petruchio's house, Katharina is denied food by Grumio under Petruchio's orders.
What happens
In Petruchio's house, Katharina is denied food by Grumio under Petruchio's orders. Petruchio brings meat but uses it to manipulate her gratitude. He then rejects a cap and gown ordered for her, arguing with the tailor and Grumio. Petruchio insists they travel to her father's house in plain clothes, asserting that inner worth matters more than outward appearance. When Katharina corrects his estimate of the time, he insists it is whatever hour he says it is, demonstrating his control.
Themes in this chapter
Taming and Obedience
Petruchio systematically denies Katharina food, sleep, and new clothes to break her will, asserting dominance over her basic needs and desires.
Disguise and Deception
Petruchio pretends the cap and gown are poorly made to deny them to Katharina, using false criticism as a tactic to control her appearance.
Social Class and Identity
Petruchio argues that inner worth matters more than fine clothes, yet his manipulation of Katharina's attire reinforces his authority over her social presentation.
Characters to notice
- Katharina
Starved and sleep-deprived, she pleads for food but is denied. She asserts her right to speak and objects to Petruchio's rejection of her cap and gown, though she ultimately complies with his whims.
- Petruchio
Continues his taming by withholding food and sleep, manipulating Katharina's gratitude, and rejecting her new clothes. He insists on controlling even the time of day.
- Grumio
Torments Katharina by naming foods but refusing to serve them. He later quarrels with the tailor over the gown's construction, defending his orders.
- Hortensio
Observes Petruchio's methods, commenting aside on Katharina's plight and Petruchio's dominance. He agrees to pay the tailor.
- Tailor
Brings the gown ordered for Katharina but is berated by Petruchio and Grumio for the cut. He is dismissed and told he will be paid later.
- Haberdasher
Brings a cap ordered by Petruchio, which Petruchio rejects as too small. He exits after Katharina insists on keeping it.
Key passages
“The more my wrong, the more his spite appears: What, did he marry me to famish me?”
The worse he treats me, the more his cruelty shows: Did he marry me just to starve me?
Katharina expresses her frustration at being denied food, a key part of Petruchio's taming strategy.
“I prithee go and get me some repast; I care not what, so it be wholesome food.”
Please go and get me something to eat; I don't care what it is, as long as it's healthy.
Katharina's desperation for food shows her weakened state.
“When you are gentle, you shall have one too, And not till then.”
You'll have a cap like that when you become gentle, and not before.
Petruchio ties Katharina's access to fine clothing to her obedience, reinforcing his control.
“For 'tis the mind that makes the body rich; And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds, So honour peereth in the meanest habit.”
It's the mind that enriches the body; just as the sun shines through dark clouds, honor can be seen in the simplest clothing.
Petruchio justifies traveling in plain clothes by valuing inner virtue over outward appearance.
“It shall be seven ere I go to horse: Look, what I speak, or do, or think to do, You are still crossing it.”
I'll say it's seven o'clock before I get on my horse: everything I say or do, you always contradict.
Petruchio asserts his authority by insisting on his own version of time, overriding Katharina's correction.
