KATHARINE
. . . 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.
I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,
Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behaviour;
And to be noted for a merry man,
He'll woo as husband, 'point the day of marriage,
Make feast, invite friends, and proclaim the banns,
Yet never means to wed where he hath wooed.
. . .

Katharine's lament in "The Taming of the Shrew" lays bare her frustration and resentment. She is caught in a social contract that forces her to marry Petruchio, against her true desires. The phrase "wooed in haste, and means to wed at leisure" highlights Petruchio's erratic and mocking nature. By pointing out his "mad-brain rudesby" character and "frantic fool" demeanor, Katharine underscores the absurdity of her situation. Petruchio's delay in showing up for the wedding is more than just an insult; it exposes his dismissive attitude and the power dynamics at play. Katharine's speech serves as a poignant critique of forced marriages and the superficial courtship rituals that value social appearances over genuine affection or respect.