illustration of Kate and Petruchio standing and staring at one another

The Taming of the Shrew

by William Shakespeare

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Which quote from The Taming of the Shrew best shows Katherina's reluctance to marry?

Expert Answers

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How about this one?  Kate addresses the crowd of wedding guests as she is waiting with them for Petruchio who is intentionally late for their wedding.

"No shame but mine. I must, forsooth, be forced
To give my hand, opposed against my heart
Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen
Who wooed in haste and means to wed at leisure"

Act 3, Sc. 2, Lines 8-11

In this quote she uses strong words such as "must," "forced," and "opposed against" to discuss her situation and her impending wedding plans.  It works to foreshadow her behavior in the near future as a newlywed which adds to the humor of this play.  Enjoy!

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