Key Quotations (AQA A-Level English Literature A): Revision Notes
Key Quotations
This revision note compiles essential quotations from The Taming of the Shrew, organised by act and character. Each quotation is accompanied by analysis highlighting key themes, literary techniques, and their significance within the play's exploration of love, marriage, and power dynamics. Understanding these quotations will help you develop strong textual evidence for essays and exam responses.
Act 1
Baptista
She is your treasure, she must have a husband.
Context: Baptista speaks about Katherine, refusing to allow Bianca to marry before her elder sister.
Baptista's language reveals his transactional view of marriage. By describing Katherine as a 'treasure', he frames his daughter as a valuable commodity within the marriage market. This metaphor highlights how women were perceived as property to be exchanged between men in Elizabethan society. The word 'must' suggests an obligation, reinforcing social expectations that marriage was a woman's inevitable destiny rather than a personal choice.
The metaphor of women as 'treasure' was common in Elizabethan literature, reflecting the economic realities of marriage settlements and dowries. Baptista's language exemplifies how patriarchal society reduced women's value to their marriageability and financial worth.
Key themes: Marriage, materialism, social expectations, value of women
Petruchio
I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; / If wealthily, then happily in Padua.
Context: Petruchio declares his intentions for coming to Padua.
Petruchio's statement demonstrates his pragmatic, financially-motivated approach to marriage. The repetition of 'wealthily' and 'happily' creates a direct link between financial security and personal contentment. His logic suggests that happiness in marriage follows naturally from wealth, revealing the materialistic values that drive his pursuit of Katherine. This conditional structure establishes money as the primary factor in his matrimonial ambitions.
Key themes: Marriage, materialism, pragmatism
Katherine
If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
Context: Katherine warns Petruchio about her temperament during their first encounter.
Katherine employs animal imagery, comparing herself to a wasp, to communicate her defensive and combative nature. This metaphor serves as both a warning and a form of self-preservation. By acknowledging her reputation for sharp words whilst simultaneously embracing it, Katherine demonstrates her refusal to conform to expected feminine passivity. The conditional 'if' clause suggests awareness that her behaviour is reactive rather than inherent.
Key themes: Conflict, defence, character, resistance
Act 2
Katherine
Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper.
Context: Katherine articulates the traditional understanding of a wife's relationship to her husband.
This quotation employs a series of metaphors that position the husband as superior and all-powerful. The terms 'lord', 'life', and 'keeper' create a hierarchy that places women in complete subordination to their husbands. The possessive pronoun 'thy' reinforces ownership, whilst the accumulation of roles emphasises the husband's comprehensive authority. This reflects patriarchal marriage doctrine where wives owed absolute obedience to their husbands.
Key themes: Gender roles, marriage, submission
I see a woman may be made a fool / If she had not a spirit to resist.
Context: Katherine reflects on the importance of women maintaining their independence.
Katherine demonstrates self-awareness about the dangers of submission without resistance. The conditional structure 'if she had not' emphasises that foolishness results from passivity rather than being an inherent female trait. Her use of 'spirit' suggests inner strength and determination are necessary qualities for women to avoid being manipulated. This quotation reveals Katherine's intelligence and understanding of power dynamics between men and women.
Katherine's recognition that women need 'a spirit to resist' reveals her intellectual awareness of gender power dynamics. This quotation is crucial for arguments about whether her later submission represents genuine transformation or strategic performance—she understands the risks of compliance from the outset.
Key themes: Independence, resistance, gender dynamics
Petruchio
You shall stay till I have done.
Context: Petruchio commands Katherine to remain with him.
The imperative mood of this brief command demonstrates Petruchio's assertion of control over Katherine. The authoritative tone and forceful language establish the power dynamic that Petruchio intends to maintain throughout their relationship. This quotation foreshadows the taming methods he will employ, where his word becomes law. The simplicity of the statement makes his dominance clear and unmistakable.
Key themes: Power, control, taming
Act 3
Katherine
I'll have no bigger; this doth fit the time, / And gentlewomen wear such caps as these.
Context: Katherine accepts Petruchio's choice of cap for her, despite having initially wanted a larger one.
Katherine's compliance with Petruchio's selection demonstrates her growing submission to his authority. Her justification that 'gentlewomen wear such caps' shows how she internalises societal norms to rationalise her obedience. This moment marks a significant shift in Katherine's behaviour, as she begins conforming to Petruchio's wishes and social expectations. Her acceptance signals the effectiveness of his taming strategy.
This is one of the first moments where Katherine actively justifies Petruchio's choices, using social propriety as her reasoning. The shift from resistance to rationalisation demonstrates how the taming process operates through psychological manipulation rather than force alone.
Key themes: Conformity, social norms, change
Petruchio
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty.
Context: Petruchio compares his treatment of Katherine to training a falcon.
Petruchio explicitly compares Katherine to a bird of prey that must be tamed through deprivation. The adjectives 'sharp' and 'empty' reveal his deliberate strategy of withholding food and rest to break Katherine's spirit. This hunting metaphor reduces Katherine to an animal that requires training, dehumanising her in the process. The possessive 'my' reinforces his sense of ownership over her.
Key themes: Taming, control, strategy
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat; / Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.
Context: Petruchio describes his deprivation methods to his servants.
The repetition of 'nor' and 'not' throughout this statement emphasises the relentless nature of Katherine's suffering under Petruchio's regime. The parallel structure between food and sleep deprivation illustrates the systematic approach to his taming method. His matter-of-fact tone treats Katherine's basic needs as negotiable, revealing the cruelty beneath his supposed kindness. This quotation exposes the harsh reality of his controlling behaviour.
Petruchio's deprivation tactics—withholding food and sleep—are explicitly compared to falconry techniques. This systematic approach to breaking Katherine's will reveals the calculated cruelty of his 'taming' methods, regardless of how they are justified as being for her benefit.
Key themes: Deprivation, control, taming
Act 4
Petruchio
Thus have I politicly begun my reign.
Context: Petruchio reflects on his initial success in taming Katherine.
The use of 'reign' positions Petruchio as a ruler and Katherine as his subject, establishing their relationship in terms of governance and power. The adverb 'politicly' (meaning cunningly or diplomatically) reveals the calculated nature of his approach. His pride in his methodology demonstrates that the taming is deliberate strategy rather than natural affection. This metaphor underscores the power imbalance at the heart of their marriage.
Key themes: Manipulation, control, paradox
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness.
Context: Petruchio explains his contradictory method of taming Katherine through apparent kindness.
The oxymoron of 'kill' with 'kindness' reveals the paradoxical nature of Petruchio's approach. Whilst appearing caring and considerate on the surface, his actions are designed to manipulate and control Katherine. This statement acknowledges that his supposed kindness serves as a weapon to break her will. The phrase demonstrates how Petruchio uses feigned affection as a more effective tool than outright cruelty.
The phrase 'kill with kindness' has become proverbial, but here Shakespeare reveals its sinister implications. Petruchio's 'kindness' is not genuine care but a manipulation tactic—he frames deprivation and control as concern for Katherine's welfare, making resistance psychologically more difficult.
Key themes: Manipulation, control, paradox
Katherine
The more my wrong, the more his spite appears.
Context: Katherine laments about Petruchio's treatment of her.
The parallel structure of 'the more...the more' creates a sense of escalation, showing how Petruchio's cruelty intensifies in response to Katherine's suffering. This quotation demonstrates Katherine's awareness that she is being wronged and that Petruchio's actions are motivated by spite rather than love. Her ability to recognise the power dynamic reveals her intelligence, even as she becomes increasingly trapped within it.
Key themes: Suffering, conflict, power dynamics
Act 5
Katherine
Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, / Thy head, thy sovereign.
Context: Katherine delivers her famous speech about wifely duty in the final scene.
Katherine reiterates her earlier statement but now extends the metaphors further by adding 'head' and 'sovereign'. The accumulation of possessive terms and hierarchical language reinforces complete female submission to male authority. The repetition of these patriarchal concepts demonstrates Katherine's apparent transformation from rebellious shrew to obedient wife. Whether this represents genuine change or strategic performance remains one of the play's central interpretive questions.
Katherine's final speech is one of the most debated passages in Shakespeare. When analysing this quotation, consider multiple interpretations: Is Katherine genuinely transformed? Is she performing for social survival? Is she speaking ironically? Your interpretation should be supported by evidence from throughout the play.
Key themes: Gender roles, marriage, submission
Place your hands below your husband's foot.
Context: Katherine instructs the other wives to demonstrate their submission to their husbands.
This hyperbolic gesture symbolises ultimate submission and humility. The physical act of placing one's hands beneath another's foot represents complete surrender of power and dignity. Katherine's willingness to perform and instruct this action demonstrates how thoroughly she has adopted the role of obedient wife. The dramatic nature of this gesture highlights the play's exploration of power, performance, and gender relations.
Key themes: Submission, obedience, gender dynamics
Petruchio
We three are married, but you two are sped.
Context: Petruchio contrasts his successful marriage with those of the other men.
Petruchio's use of 'sped' (meaning ruined or finished) emphasises his triumph over the other suitors. This comparison highlights the competitive element underlying the marriages in the play, where success is measured by a wife's obedience. His boastful tone demonstrates pride in having achieved what he considers a properly ordered marriage. The quotation underscores the play's examination of different approaches to marital relationships.
Key themes: Marriage, competition, success
Why, there's a wench! Come on, and kiss me, Kate.
Context: Petruchio praises Katherine's obedience and commands her affection.
The affectionate tone marks a significant shift from Petruchio's earlier harshness. However, even his praise is followed by an imperative command, showing that he maintains control despite the warmth. The exclamation 'there's a wench!' treats Katherine's obedience as a performance to be applauded. This quotation demonstrates the changed power dynamic whilst revealing that Petruchio's authority remains firmly established.
Key themes: Affection, power, transformation
He that is giddy thinks the world turns round.
Context: Petruchio philosophically discusses perception versus reality.
This aphorism employs metaphor to suggest that one's internal state shapes their perception of external reality. Petruchio implies that those who lack balance (both literally and metaphorically) misjudge their circumstances. The statement reflects Renaissance philosophical interests in the relationship between subjective experience and objective truth. This wisdom positions Petruchio as thoughtful rather than merely cruel.
Key themes: Perception, reality, philosophy
Bianca
Lucentio, when shall we wed?
Context: Bianca eagerly asks Lucentio about their wedding.
Bianca's direct question reveals her enthusiasm for marriage to Lucentio. This quotation provides contrast to Katherine's earlier resistance, presenting Bianca as the conventionally obedient and willing daughter. Her eagerness highlights the different approaches to marriage within the play. Bianca's character serves as a foil to Katherine, though later developments suggest her obedience may be more superficial than genuine.
Key themes: Marriage, eagerness, contrast
The more fool you for laying on my duty.
Context: Bianca challenges traditional expectations of wifely duty.
Bianca's sharp retort demonstrates that her apparent compliance masked an independent spirit. The direct address 'you' and the insult 'fool' reveal resistance to patriarchal expectations. Her use of 'laying on my duty' suggests she views such demands as impositions rather than natural obligations. This unexpected defiance creates dramatic irony, as the supposedly sweet sister proves less tractable than the tamed Katherine.
The reversal between Katherine and Bianca in Act 5 is significant. While Katherine appears perfectly obedient, Bianca reveals her true nature, suggesting that surface compliance doesn't guarantee genuine submission. This complicates interpretations of Katherine's transformation—is she more like Bianca than she appears?
Key themes: Resistance, duty, awareness
Gremio
My cake is dough, but I'll in among the rest, / Out of hope of all, but my share of the feast.
Context: Gremio expresses his disappointment at failing to marry either sister whilst accepting his fate.
The metaphor 'my cake is dough' signifies Gremio's failed efforts, as uncooked dough represents incomplete or unsuccessful endeavours. However, the juxtaposition with 'share of the feast' demonstrates his resilience and practical attitude. Despite disappointment, Gremio chooses to participate in the celebration, suggesting acceptance of his circumstances. This quotation reveals how even unsuccessful suitors adapt to the play's marriage outcomes.
Key themes: Disappointment, acceptance, resilience
Hortensio
Now, go thy ways, thou hast tamed a curst shrew.
Context: Hortensio acknowledges Petruchio's success in taming Katherine.
Hortensio's statement encapsulates the play's central action and its apparent resolution. The phrase 'tamed a curst shrew' reduces Katherine's transformation to a successful training exercise. His admiring tone suggests approval of Petruchio's methods and their results. This quotation represents the male perspective on the taming, viewing Katherine's submission as a positive achievement rather than questioning the ethics of the process.
Key themes: Taming, success, resolution
Exam Tips
Essential Examination Strategies:
- Select quotations that best support your argument rather than trying to include multiple quotes on the same point.
- Always embed quotations smoothly within your own sentences to demonstrate analytical fluency.
- Analyse the specific words and literary techniques within quotations, not just their general meaning.
- Consider the dramatic context of each quotation, including who speaks it and when in the play's structure.
- Link quotations to broader themes and the play's exploration of love and marriage.
- Remember that quotations from Katherine's final speech can be interpreted in multiple ways—consider whether her transformation is genuine or performative.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
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Marriage as transaction: Many quotations reveal how marriage in the play functions as a financial and social exchange rather than a romantic union, particularly through Petruchio's materialistic language.
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Power and control: Petruchio's quotations demonstrate his systematic approach to gaining authority over Katherine through deprivation, manipulation, and contradictory kindness, positioning their relationship as a power struggle.
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Katherine's transformation: Katherine's quotations trace her journey from defiant resistance to apparent submission, though the sincerity of her final compliance remains ambiguous and open to interpretation.
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Gender dynamics: The play's quotations repeatedly emphasise patriarchal expectations of female submission and male authority, reflected in metaphors of ownership, hierarchy, and obedience.
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Literary techniques: Shakespeare employs metaphor, repetition, parallel structure, imperative mood, and oxymoron throughout these quotations to reinforce themes and character development.