The Taming of the Shrew (The Annotated Shakespeare) - Softcover

Shakespeare, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0300109822 ISBN 13: 9780300109825

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2005

Synopsis

The Annotated Shakespeare series enables readers to fully understand and enjoy the plays of the world’s greatest dramatist
 
In one of Shakespeare’s bawdier comedies, contemporary audiences still take great pleasure in the rapid-fire verbal battles between the shrewish Katharina and the canny Petruchio, determined to subdue Katharina’s legendary temper and win her dowry. This fully annotated version of The Taming of the Shrew makes the play completely accessible to readers in the twenty-first century.
 
Eminent linguist and translator Burton Raffel offers generous help with vocabulary, pronunciation, and prosody and provides alternative readings of phrases and lines. His on-page annotations give readers all the tools they need to comprehend the play and begin to explore its many possible interpretations.

About this title

About the Author

Burton Raffel (1928–2015) was professor of arts and humanities emeritus and professor of English emeritus at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Among his many edited and translated publications are Poems and Prose from the Old English, Cligès, Lancelot, Perceval, Erec and Enide, and Yvain. Harold Bloom (1930–2019) was Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University and Berg Professor of English at New York University. His many books include The Western Canon, Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human, and Genius: A Mosaic of One Hundred Exemplary Creative Minds.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Taming of the Shrew

By William Shakespeare

Yale University Press

Copyright © 2005 Yale University
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-300-10982-5

Contents

About This Book................................................ixIntroduction...................................................xixSome Essentials of the Shakespearean Stage.....................xxxvThe Taming of the Shrew........................................1An Essay by Harold Bloom.......................................155Further Reading................................................165Finding List...................................................171

Chapter One

Shakespeare's Introduction

SCENE I

In front of an alehouse

ENTER Hostess and Sly

Sly I'll pheeze you, in faith.

Hostess A pair of stocks, you rogue!

Sly Y'are a baggage, the Slys are no rogues. Look in the Chronicles, we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore, paucas pallabris, let the world slide. Sessa! 5

Hostess You will not pay for the glasses you have burst? Sly No, not a denier. Go by, Saint Jeronimy, go to thy cold bed and warm thee.

Hostess I know my remedy, I must go fetch the third-borough.

EXIT Hostess

Sly Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer him by 10 law. I'll not budge an inch, boy. Let him come, and kindly.

LIES DOWN ON THE GROUND, AND FALLS INTO A DRUNKEN SLEEP

sound of hunting horns. Enter a Lord, with Huntsmen and Servants

Lord Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds.

Brach Merriman, the poor cur, is embossed.

And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach. 15 Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault? I would not lose the dog for twenty pound.

Huntsman 1 Why, Bellman is as good as he, my lord, He cried upon it at the merest loss, 20 And twice today picked out the dullest scent. Trust me, I take him for the better dog.

Lord Thou art a fool. If Echo were as fleet, I would esteem him worth a dozen such. But sup them well, and look unto them all. 25 Tomorrow I intend to hunt again.

Huntsman 1 I will, my lord.

Lord (seeing Sly) What's here? One dead, or drunk? See doth he breathe.

Huntsman 2 He breathes, my lord. Were he not warmed with ale, This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. 30

Lord O monstrous beast, how like a swine he lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image. Sirs, I will practice on this drunken man. What think you, if he were conveyed to bed, Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, 35 A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Would not the beggar then forget himself?

Huntsman 1 Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.

Huntsman 2 It would seem strange unto him when he waked. 40

Lord Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy. Then take him up, and manage well the jest. Carry him gently to my fairest chamber, And hang it round with all my wanton pictures. Balm his foul head in warm distilld waters, 45 And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet. Procure me music ready when he wakes, To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound. And if he chance to speak, be ready straight, And with a low submissive reverence 50 Say, "What is it your honor will command?" Let one attend him with a silver basin Full of rose-water, and bestrewed with flowers, Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper, And say, "Will't please your lordship cool your hands?" Some one be ready with a costly suit, 55 And ask him what apparel he will wear. Another tell him of his hounds and horse, And that his lady mourns at his disease. Persuade him that he hath been lunatic, And when he says he is, say that he dreams, For he is nothing but a mighty lord. This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs, It will be pastime passing excellent, If it be husbanded with modesty. 65

Huntsman 1 My lord, I warrant you we will play our part As he shall think by our true diligence He is no less than what we say he is.

Lord Take him up gently, and to bed with him, And each one to his office when he wakes. 70

Sly is carried out trumpet sounds

Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds

EXIT Servant

Belike some noble gentleman that means, Traveling some journey, to repose him here.

Servant returns

How now? Who is it? Servant An it please your honor, players That offer service to your lordship. 75

Lord Bid them come near.

ENTER Players

Now fellows, you are welcome. Players We thank your honor.

Lord Do you intend to stay with me tonight?

Player So please your lordship to accept our duty.

Lor. With all my heart. This fellow I remember, 80 Since once107 he played a farmer's eldest son - 'Twas where you wooed the gentlewoman so well. I have forgot your name. But sure that part Was aptly fitted110 and naturally111 performed.

Player I think 'twas Soto that your honor means. 85

Lord 'Tis very true, thou didst it excellent. Well, you are come to me in happy time, The rather for I have some sport in hand Wherein your cunning can assist me much. There is a lord will hear you play tonight, 90 But I am doubtful of your modesties, Lest - over-eying of his odd behavior, For yet his honor never heard a play - You break into some merry passion And so offend him. For I tell you sirs, 95 If you should smile, he grows impatient.

Player Fear not my lord, we can contain ourselves, Were he the veriest antic in the world.

Lord Go sirrah, take them to the buttery, And give them friendly welcome every one, 100 Let them want nothing that my house affords.

EXIT Servant with Players

Sirrah, go you to Bartholomew my page, And see him dressed in all suits like a lady. That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber, And call him Madam, do him obeisance. 105 Tell him from me, as he will win my love, He bear himself with honorable action, Such as he hath observed in noble ladies Unto their lords, by them accomplishd. Such duty to the drunkard let him do, 110 With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy, And say "What is't your honor will command, Wherein your lady and your humble wife May show her duty, and make known her love?" And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses, 115 And with declining head into his bosom Bid him shed tears, as being overjoyed To see her noble lord restored to health, Who for this seven years hath esteemed him No better than a poor and loathsome beggar. 120 And if the boy have not a woman's gift To rain a shower of commanded tears, An onion will do well for such a shift, Which in a napkin, being close conveyed, Shall in despite enforce a watery eye. 125 See this dispatched with all the haste thou canst, Anon I'll give thee more instructions.

EXIT Servant

I know the boy will well usurp the grace, Voice, gait, and action of a gentlewoman. I long to hear him call the drunkard "husband," 130 And how my men will stay themselves from laughter, When they do homage to this simple peasant. I'll in to counsel them. Haply my presence May well abate the over-merry spleen, Which otherwise would grow165 into extremes. 135

EXEUNT

SCENE 2 Bedroom in the Lord's house

Sly in a rich nightshirt, with Servants, some with apparel, basin, ewer, etc., and Lord

Sly For God's sake, a pot of small ale.

Servant 1 Will't please your lordship drink a cup of sack?

Servant 2 Will't please your honor taste of these conserves?

Servant 3 What raiment will your honor wear today?

Sly I am Christophero Sly, call not me "honor" nor 5 "lordship." I ne'er drank sack in my life. And if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef. Ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear, for I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than feet - nay, sometime more feet than shoes, or such shoes as 10 my toes look through the over-leather.

Lord Heaven cease this idle humor in your honor! O that a mighty man of such descent, Of such possessions, and so high esteem, Should be infused with so foul a spirit! 15

Sly What, would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher Sly, old Sly's son of Burton-heath, by birth a peddler, by education a card-maker, by transmutation a bear-herd, and now by present profession a tinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat ale-wife of Wincot, if she know 20 me not. If she say I am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer ale, score me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom. What, I am not bestraught. Here's-

Servant 3 O this it is that makes your lady mourn.

Servant 2 O this it is that makes your servants droop. 25

Lord Hence comes it, that your kindred shuns your house As beaten hence by your strange lunacy. O noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth, Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment, And banish hence these abject lowly dreams. 30 Look how thy servants do attend on thee, Each in his office ready at thy beck. Wilt thou have music? Hark, Apollo plays,

MUSIC

And twenty cagd nightingales do sing. Or wilt thou sleep? We'll have38 thee to a couch, 35 Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed On purpose trimmed up for Semiramis. Say thou wilt walk. We will bestrew the ground. Or wilt thou ride? Thy horses shall be trapped, Their harness studded all with gold and pearl. 40 Dost thou love hawking? Thou hast hawks will soar Above the morning lark. Or wilt thou hunt? Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth. Servant 1 Say thou wilt course. Thy greyhounds are as swift 45 As breathd stags, ay, fleeter than the roe.

Servant 2 Dost thou love pictures? We will fetch thee straight Adonis painted by a running brook, And Cytherea all in sedges hid, Which seem to move and wanton with her breath 50 Even as the waving sedges play with wind.

Lord We'll show thee Io as she was a maid And how she was beguild and surprised, As lively painted as the deed was done. Servant 3 Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood, 55 Scratching her legs, that one shall swear she bleeds, And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep, So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn.

Lord Thou art a lord, and nothing but a lord. Thou hast a lady far more beautiful 60 Than any woman in this waning age.

Servant 1 And till the tears that she hath shed for thee, Like envious floods o'errun her lovely face, She was the fairest creature in the world, And yet she is inferior to none. 65

Sly Am I a lord, and have I such a lady? Or do I dream? Or have I dreamed till now? I do not sleep. I see, I hear, I speak. I smell sweet savors, and I feel soft things.

Upon my life I am a lord indeed, 70 And not a tinker, nor Christopher Sly. Well, bring our lady hither to our sight, And once again, a pot o'th'smallest ale.

EXIT a Servant

Servant 2 Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands? O how we joy to see your wit restored, 75 O that once more you knew but what you are. These fifteen years you have been in a dream, Or when you waked, so waked as if you slept.

Sly These fifteen years! By my fay, a goodly nap, But did I never speak of all that time? 80

Servant 1 O yes my lord, but very idle words, For though you lay here in this goodly chamber, Yet would you say, ye were beaten out of door, And rail upon the hostess of the house, And say you would present her at the leet, 85 Because she brought stone jugs, and no sealed quarts. Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket.

Sly Ay, the woman's maid of the house. Servant 3 Why sir, you know no house, nor no such maid, Nor no such men as you have reckoned up, 90 As Stephen Sly, and old John Naps of Greece, And Peter Turf, and Henry Pimpernell, And twenty more such names and men as these, Which never were, nor no man ever saw.

Sly Now Lord be thankd for my good amends! 95

All Amen.

Sly I thank thee, thou shalt not lose by it.

ENTER Page, as a lady, with Attendants

Page How fares88 my noble lord?

Sly Marry I fare well, for here is cheer enough. Where is my wife? 100 Page Here noble lord, what is thy will with her?

Sly Are you my wife, and will not call me husband? My men should call me lord,I am your goodman.

Page My husband and my lord, my lord and husband.

I am your wife in all obedience. 105

Sly I know it well. (to Servants) What must I call her?

Lord Madam.

Sly Al'ce madam, or Joan madam?

Lord Madam, and nothing else, so lords call ladies.

Sly Madam wife, they say that I have dreamed 110 And slept above some fifteen year or more.

Page Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me, Being all this time abandoned from your bed.

Sly 'Tis much. Servants, leave me and her alone.

EXIT Servants

Madam, undress you, and come now to bed. 115

Page Thrice noble lord, let me entreat of you To pardon me yet for a night or two. Or, if not so, until the sun be set. For your physicians have expressly charged (In peril to incur your former malady) 120 That I should yet absent me from your bed. I hope this reason stands for my excuse.

Sly Ay, it stands so that I may hardly tarry so long. But I would be loath to fall into my dreams again. I will therefore tarry, in despite of the flesh and the blood. 125

enter Messenger

Messenger Your honor's players, hearing your amendment, Are come to play a pleasant comedy; For so your doctors hold it very meet, Seeing too much sadness hath congealed your blood, And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy, 130 Therefore they thought it good you hear a play, And frame your mind to mirth and merriment, Which bars a thousand harms, and lengthens life.

Sly Marry I will let them play. It is not a commonty, a Christmas gambol, or a tumbling trick? 135

Page No my good lord, it is more pleasing stuff.

Sly What, household stuff?

Page It is a kind of history.

Sly Well, we'll see't. Come, madam wife, sit by my side And let the world slip, we shall ne'er be younger. 140

(Continues...)

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Edition details

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300109822
• ISBN 13: 9780300109825
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224
• Editor: Raffel Burton