Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Art of Wooing... Take 2.

This scene from Taming of the Shrew is not the same sort of wooing that occurs in Richard III. However there are some similarities. One of the reasons I like Richard III and Taming of the Shrew so much is because of the quick dialogue throughout the play. This is evident more so in the comedy, because it is... a comedy, but it is in Richard and other plays as well. The dialogue is funny and witty and quick, and I expect no less from Shakespeare, but for the play itself it fits perfectly. Dialogue to highlight in this play comes between Kate and Petruccio. Shakespeare is known for his coy sexual innuendos, and in a play that is basically a battle of the sexes there is a whole lot of them. This makes the play entertaining to read for a more mature audience.

Petruccio:
Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry.
Kate:
If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
Petruccio:
My remedy is then, to pluck it out.
Kate:
Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.
Petruccio:
Who knows not where a wasp does
wear his sting? In his tail.
Kate:
In his tongue.
Petruccio: Whose tongue?
Kate: Yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell.
Petruccio: What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again,
Good Kate; I am a gentleman.


Here the dialogue between the two of them is humorous, especially because Petruccio's plan to win over Kate is to beat her at her own game. Throughout the play there is no one who can compete with Kate verbally... except Petruccio. This makes the dialogue between them more heated and much better for the relationship of their characters. The fact that Petruccio is the only one who can match her quickness, and the fact that he can even beat her with it makes their love/hate relationship throughout the play more appealing and entertaining for the audience.

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