Blog 13: Katharina's Soliloquy

At the end of Act V, scene ii, Katherina makes a famous speech about the relationship husbands and wives should have. What three (3) lines did you find particularly interesting [especially since you have read about Katherina's transformation]? What is noteworthy about what she DOES NOT mention in her speech?

The most important three lines in her speech I think are the last three that she says because they really rap the whole thing up and because of that we are able to understand how she feels about the subject. She thinks that woman should be physically stronger then man but that they should not be be mentally stronger then them. So then she still believes that men are not as good as women and that the still are less then men because of the times that have come. She is now tamed and is the wench of Petruchio and she shall be for the rest of her life.  

Blog 12: Act IV, A Shrew is as a Shrew Does

Petruchio seems to become the shrew, more so than Katharina ever was. Curtis says, “he is more shrew than she.” Why do you think they have traded personalities? 

As a psychiatrist, write a two-paragraph explanation to Curtis about why his boss has had the change of personality. Be creative!!

As a dedicated person of my craft, psychiatry, I can realize that from being around Katharina and by doing so he needs to be like her. He is trying to one up her and he will be able to then have her love him. 

If she does not then that is not good for him because this is his plan for the whole time and then if she does learn to love him then the plan has worked. He in basic terms is giving her a taste of her own medicine to she how she likes it. She will realize I think that it is not right to treat people like that and to always treat people the way that you want to be treated.

Blog 11: Shakespeare's Language

Before we begin reading Act 1 of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew as a class, it is important for all of you to become familiar with the playwright's language.

Please answer the following questions in your own blog:
1. What is "blank verse"? Give an example of it from your book.
A blank verse is an unrhymed verse but it does follow the pattern of iambic pentameter  ("But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?")

2. Interpret these Shakespearean lines using your Shakespeare Packet: Reading Shakespeare's English: 
a. "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?" [R&J] But wait! What time is it?
b. "Thou art more lovely and more temperate." [Sonnets XVIII] You are beautiful and good looking.
c. "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well." [Macbeth]  If it were done then it would be fine.
d. "Who wooed in haste, and means to wed in leisure." [Taming of the Shrew] He fell in love quickly and married her calmly.

3. How many creative Shakespearean insults can you come up with? Add "thou" or "thine" to the front of the lists picked up on your way in: "Thou+Column A+Column B+Column C!"

Thou greasy sour-faced cut purse

Thou grizzled rump-fed dogfish

Thou saucy onion-eyed waterfly

Thou yeasty bunch-backed younker

Thou rank horn-mad hedge-pig

Thou queasy mad-bred malkin

Post your BEST Shakespearean insult as a "comment" below.