Brick Shakespeare: The Comedies—A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Taming of the Shrew (97 page)

PETRUCHIO

Come on, i’ God’s name; once more toward our father’s.

Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!

KATHARINA

The moon! the sun: it is not moonlight now.

PETRUCHIO

I say it is the moon that shines so bright.

KATHARINA

I know it is the sun that shines so bright.

PETRUCHIO

Now, by my mother’s son, and that’s myself,

It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,

Or ere I journey to your father’s house.

Go on, and fetch our horses back again.

Evermore cross’d and cross’d; nothing but cross’d!

HORTENSIO

Say as he says, or we shall never go.

KATHARINA

Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,

And be it moon, or sun, or what you please:

An if you please to call it a rush-candle,

Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.

PETRUCHIO

I say it is the moon.

KATHARINA

I know it is the moon.

PETRUCHIO

Nay, then you lie: it is the blessed sun.

KATHARINA

Then, God be bless’d, it is the blessed sun:

But sun it is not, when you say it is not;

And the moon changes even as your mind.

What you will have it named, even that it is;

And so it shall be so for Katharina.

HORTENSIO

Petruchio, go thy ways; the field is won.

PETRUCHIO

Well, forward, forward! thus the bowl should run,

And not unluckily against the bias.

ACT V. Scene II (64–199).

K
atharina is gradually bending to Petruchio’s will. They continue on their journey and bump into Vincentio, the true father of Lucentio, who is also on his way to Baptista’s house. To continue his trickery with Katharina, Petruchio greets Vincentio as a woman. Following his lead, Katharina addresses him as a “young budding virgin” (IV.v.38), only to be scolded by Petruchio for thinking a man a maiden. Petruchio explains to Vincentio that his son has married Bianca and they continue on their journey. Aside, Hortensio seems pleased with Petruchio’s accomplishments with taming Katharina.

They arrive at Lucentio’s house and Vincentio invites Petruchio and Katharina in for a drink. The merchant pretending to be Vincentio peers out the window and sees the true Vincentio. The two quarrel over whom is the true Vincentio, and the merchant imposter says that the real Vincentio should be arrested. Vincentio pleads for Biondello, Lucentio’s servant, to assure everyone that he is the rightful person. Not wanting to ruin Lucentio’s plan, Biondello refuses, and Vincentio beats him. Baptista enters and the men all quibble about who is who. Lucentio and Bianca arrive, having just eloped. The two clear up the confusion and explain about those who had traded places in order for Lucentio to win Bianca’s heart. The two fathers, Baptista and Vincentio, are exhausted from the mayhem and decide to leave the room, contented that all is now well. Katharina, having just witnessed the madness, decides to follow the crowd and see what comes of everything. Petruchio famously pleads, “Kiss me, Kate” (Vi.i.122), and Katharina finally kisses him in public.

A banquet is prepared and Lucentio proposes a toast to the newly united families and friends. At the dinner, Katharina and the widow (Hortensio’s new wife) bicker back and forth about their husbands. Amused, the men stir up a bet regarding Petruchio’s ability to tame unruly women.