Petruchio's Soliloquay

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Petruchio’s soliloquy in act four scene one revealed Petruchio’s plans on how he is going to ‘train’ Kate. Petruchio describes his plan as a reign. “Thus have I politicly begun my reign,” (4. 1. 159) There is an interconnection in this line between the words “politicly” and “reign”. The effect of this metaphor puts emphasis on the fact that Petruchio is the leader of his kingdom or household. “Politicly” implies that Petruchio’s plan is cynical, manipulative and cunning just like politics. This is very crucial because Petruchio is manipulating Kate and her life by controlling her sleep and her eating. The dominance of Petruchio is connected to one of the important themes of the play, patriarchy. Since Kate and Petruchio are married now, he is the dominating, authoritative and controlling figure in her life. Petruchio continues talking about his ‘reign’ in the second line. “And ‘tis my hope to end successfully.” (4. 1. 160) Petruchio’s confidence from the first line seems to have wavered slightly because he hoping his “reign” will end successfully. The effect of this makes Petruchio sound unsure of his plan, as though he may be worried that his plan will not turn out the way he has imagined it. The dominance Petruchio has over Kate is shows via an extended metaphor throughout the soliloquy. The effect of this is to characterize Kate as a wild animal. “My falcon now is sharp and passing empty, And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,” (4. 1. 161- 162). These lines show the imagery of a falcon passing over the falconer. Petruchio may be talking about Kate when referring to a falcon to create the effect that she is a wild, untamed bird because of her un-ladylike manner and her aggressive ways. Petruchio refers to himself as the ‘tamer’ or the ‘falconer’ to suggest that he is in process of making her more docile and complaisant. The way he is ‘taming’
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