Taming Of The Shrew; Act 1 Scene 2

Act 1 Scene 2

Petruccio: “Why came I hither but to that intent?
    Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?
    Have I not in my time heard lions roar?
    Have I not heard the sea, puffed up with winds,
    Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?
    Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,
    And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies?
    Have I not in a pitched battle heard
    Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?
    And do you tell me of a woman's tongue,
    That gives not half so great a blow to hear
    As will a chestnut in a farmer’s fire?
    Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs.”

In this quote, Petruccio explains his intent with Katherine. Petruccio exclaims that he can tame Katherine due to him being so fearless, for he has seen and heard things much worse. “Have I not in my time heard lions roar?”, Petruccio is not only comparing Katherine’s tongue to that of a wild animal, but is also indirectly comparing her to the animal herself. He does this again in, “Have I not heard the sea, puffed up with winds, rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?”, comparing Katherine to not only a raging sea but, an angry boar. This is in contrast to how the characters describe Bianca. Katherine is seen as all things animalistic and manly, while her sister is dainty and beautiful. This man is set out to “tame” Katherine due to his lack of fear, yet his insults are worse than Katherine’s sharp tongue.