The Taming of the Shrew Act 4 Scene 3 Novelised (untamed Katharina)

Act 4 Scene 3 (The Taming Of The Shrew)

Katharina woke up to the sound of footsteps echoing in the cramped room he dear husband, Petruchio, had awarded her. Slowly raising her head off the woodblock she used as a pillow, she looked up to see the unmistakable feet of Grumio, clad in his signature Air Force 1 shoes. "Good morning Kate," he said brightly, "sleep well?". Knowing he was asking out of pure goodwill, Katharina bit back her hateful string of words she was saving for Petruchio. "Yes, Yes, I did sleep well, Grumio." she replied, "I had the best time resting my head on the softest block of wood in the entire world for 2 hours.". Realising he was being made sport of, Grumio decided to reply in the most colourful tone of voice he could muster, "I'm so sorry this happened, mistress Katharina, it's all my fault you had to endure this torture. "Drop the act Grumio, I was only having a bit of fun." Katharina said. "Anyways, I have a favour to ask you, would you mind fetching me something to eat?" Grumio's face whitened when she asked this.

"No, no, I can't. Really. Petruchio would have my head if I aided you.". Katharina sickened when she heard this but quickly regained her composure, "Please, Grumio. The more I suffer, the more spiteful he becomes. Did he marry me just to starve me? Beggars at my father's door are given food or money as soon as they ask. But I, I who has never known or needed to being, am starved for food, dizzy with lack of sleep, kept awake with curses and fed with brawling. Look at my face Grumio, look at it. Look at these bruises, these cuts, the blood. Petruchio did this to me, Even worse, he did it under the pretence of love. Please, Grumio. Just get me something to eat.

Giving over, Grumio said fine, "What do you think of some beef and mustard, there's quite a bit left over from last night's meal.". Brightening up when she heard this, Katharina replied, "A favourite dish of mine.". " But the mustard may be too hot." Grumio said "Well then, the beef without the mustard is fine," Katharina replied. Face contorted with anger, Grumio said, "Absolutely not. You'll take the mustard, or you'll grow hungrier.". With a sense of exasperation over the choice of a simple dish, Katharina replied, "Then both, or one, or anything you decide.". Suddenly giving off a sadistic aura, Grumio suggested, "How about the mustard without the beef?". Now it was Katharina's turn to get mad, suddenly bolting up off the ground, she nimbly moved behind Grumio and put him in a chokehold. "Damn you, you twisted, sadistic bastard. You only feed me with the name of food. To hell with you and the whole pack of you who triumph at my misery!" Hearing footsteps approaching the door, Katharina quickly moved back to her previous position, for it would be horrible for her if she got caught choking her husband's servant.

Just as she finished settling down in her previous position, Petruchio and Hortensio entered with a steaming dish of meat. "How are you, my dear Kate? Feeling blue, my darling?" Petruchio said "Mistress, how are you?" Hortensio said, following Petruchio's lead. "Believe me, I've been better," Katharina replied sourly. "did you really think I would be feeling well after all you've done?!" Taken aback at this, Grumio said, "Cheer up, Give us a smile. Look, see how devoted I am? I've prepared you a meal myself. I'm sure, Katharina, that this kindness merits thanks. What, not a word? I guess you don't want it. Ah well, all my trouble was for nothing. Here, take it away Grumio." looking distressed at this, Katharina pleaded "Please, I beg you, leave it here.". Tilting his head up a bit, Petruchio said, "The smallest service is repaid with thanks. Mine will be, too, before you touch your meal. Suddenly taking up the persona of an obedient housewife, Katharina said: "Thank you, sir.".

Feeling sorry for Katharina, Hortensio said, "Shame on you, Petruchio! You are too harsh. Come, dear Kate, I'll join you. Suddenly whispering in Hortensio's ear, Petruchio said: "Do me a favour and scarf it down all yourself, Hortensio." Going back to his loud voice, Petruchio announced "I hope it does your gentle heart some good, Kate. Eat up quickly my honey lamb, we're off to your father's house to join the revelry, where we'll dress as well as the best of them, with silk robes and caps and golden rings, collars and cuffs and fancy frocks and things, with scarves and fans and two changes of clothes. All finished? The Tailor is waiting to deck you out in ruffled finery.

The door opened again, this time, the Tailor came in. "Now, Tailor, let's see what you've got. Display the gown." Petruchio commanded. Again the door opened, and this time, a hatmaker entered. "What can I do for you, sir?" Petruchio asked. "Here is the cap you ordered." the Hatmaker said.

Petruchio examined the cap in contempt, finding faults to complain about. Flaws that would let him keep the hat from his beloved. After inspecting the hat for a minute, he said, "Why, this was modelled on a porridge bowl! It's a velvet dish! No, definitely not! It's cheap and nasty! It's like a cockle or walnut shell, a joke, a prank, a doll's cap. Take it away. Bring me a bigger one. Katharina protested when she heard this, Petruchio shot her a glare but her she refused to be belittled by him, "I won't have one any bigger. This is fashion. Gentlewomen are wearing caps like this right now." Katharina exclaimed. "When you are gentle, you shall have one, too, and not till then.

The rage in Katharina began to build up, even more, she thought of every single thing her husband had denied her, and the little things he had given her. She examined herself, looking barely like a human, much less a woman. She remembered him bargaining for her, the way he referred to her. She remembered everything. "Petruchio," she said in cold fury capable of scaring off armies, the Tailor, the Hatmaker, Hortensio, and Petruchio stared at her. "What is the meaning of this, how dare you take this tone against your own husband!?" Petruchio spat. "I've had enough, you seek to tame me, but I'm a spirit that knows no rein. You famish me, deprive me of sleep, deny me my very existence. You say you do this out of love, but you don't. You see a woman as wild as you, someone who could take a stand up to you. You seek an obedient wife, but you won't get one out of me. If you disown me, then so be it. I will become much greater than you ever could." All the men in the room looked outraged. Petruchio faced off with his wife with daggers in his eyes. "Are you saying... we are equals? Are you saying that a man and woman are equal? What you say is gibberish. A man has superiority over a woman. That is how it is.". He stared at his wife and waited for her answer.

"Yes, my dear Petruchio, yes." A broad grin spread across Petruchio's face after she said that. "Thank you, my wife, you have opened my eyes. When I first came to Padua, I was merely looking for an obedient wife. Someone who could be tamed no matter what. But you have shown me that we are much more. We are equals." The realisation slowly dawned on the men that they were equals with their wives. They looked at Katharina in a new light. To them, she was an icon, someone to strive after. Katharina had finally gotten something she hadn't wanted, but something she deserved. An equal. Her Petruchio.