Katherine’s Monologue from The Taming of the Shrew, Act 5, Scene 2:
"Fie, fie! Unknit that threatening unkind brow"
Synopsis
In this controversial monologue, Katherine addresses the women present, urging them to abandon defiance and adopt submission and obedience to their husbands. She presents a view of marriage as a hierarchy, with the husband as the ruler and the wife as a dutiful subject. The speech has sparked debate over whether Katherine has truly been "tamed" by Petruchio or if she delivers this speech with irony, using it as a performance to appease her husband and the expectations of her society.
What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?
At the banquet celebrating their marriages, Petruchio wagers with other husbands that Katherine will be the most obedient wife. When called, Katherine shocks everyone by coming promptly and delivering this speech, which appears to confirm her submission to Petruchio.
Original Text
*"Fie, fie! Unknit that threatening unkind brow,
And dart not scornful glances from those eyes,
To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor.
It blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads,
Confounds thy fame as whirlwinds shake fair buds,
And in no sense is meet or amiable.
A woman mov’d is like a fountain troubled,
Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty,
And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty
Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it.
Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,
Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee,
And for thy maintenance; commits his body
To painful labour both by sea and land,
To watch the night in storms, the day in cold,
Whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe;
And craves no other tribute at thy hands
But love, fair looks, and true obedience;
Too little payment for so great a debt.
Such duty as the subject owes the prince
Even such a woman oweth to her husband.
And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour,
And not obedient to his honest will,
What is she but a foul contending rebel
And graceless traitor to her loving lord?
I am asham’d that women are so simple
To offer war where they should kneel for peace,
Or seek for rule, supremacy, and sway,
When they are bound to serve, love, and obey.
Why are our bodies soft, and weak, and smooth,
Unapt to toil and trouble in the world,
But that our soft conditions and our hearts
Should well agree with our external parts?
Come, come, you froward and unable worms,
My mind hath been as big as one of yours,
My heart as great, my reason haply more,
To bandy word for word and frown for frown.
But now I see our lances are but straws,
Our strength as weak, our weakness past compare,
That seeming to be most which we indeed least are.
Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot,
And place your hands below your husband’s foot.
In token of which duty, if he please,
My hand is ready, may it do him ease."*
Translation of Text into Contemporary Language
*"Stop it! Relax that angry, unkind expression,
And stop glaring with scornful eyes
At your husband, your lord, your ruler.
It ruins your beauty like frost withers flowers,
And it destroys your reputation like a storm damages blossoms.
It’s not fitting or attractive at all.
An angry woman is like a muddy, disturbed fountain—
Ugly, unclear, and unappealing.
No one, no matter how thirsty, would drink from it.
Your husband is your lord, your life, your protector,
Your head, your ruler—someone who cares for you,
Who works hard to support you, enduring pain and labor,
Suffering through storms and cold
While you lie safe and warm at home.
All he asks in return is love, kind looks, and obedience—
Such a small price to pay for such a great debt.
Just as a subject owes loyalty to their king,
A wife owes the same to her husband.
When a woman is stubborn, rude, or disobedient,
She’s like a rebellious traitor against her loving husband.
I’m ashamed that women can be so foolish,
To fight where they should seek peace,
Or to try to dominate when they’re meant to serve, love, and obey.
Why are our bodies soft, weak, and smooth,
Unsuitable for hard work and hardship,
If not to match the gentleness of our hearts and minds?
Come now, you stubborn, weak creatures—
I used to be just like you.
My mind was as strong, my heart as bold,
And my wit as sharp as yours,
Trading argument for argument and glare for glare.
But now I see that our weapons are just toys,
Our strength is weak, and we’re not what we pretend to be.
So stop resisting—it’s pointless.
Place your hands below your husband’s foot as a sign of submission.
If he accepts it, I’m ready to do my duty and bring him comfort."*
Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words
Unknit: Relax or soften.
Meads: Meadows.
Mov’d: Angry or upset.
Unapt: Unsuited or unfit.
Froward: Stubborn or contrary.
Vail your stomachs: Lower your pride or resistance.
No boot: Useless or pointless.
Suggested New Thoughts Chunking / Paragraphing with Acting Notes
"Fie, fie! Unknit that threatening unkind brow, And dart not scornful glances from those eyes, To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor."
Acting Note: Begin with sharp authority. Katherine is chastising the women and asserting control, her tone firm but not unkind."It blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads, Confounds thy fame as whirlwinds shake fair buds, And in no sense is meet or amiable."
Acting Note: Add a reflective, almost poetic tone. Katherine appeals to their vanity, pointing out the damage caused by anger."A woman mov’d is like a fountain troubled, Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty..."
Acting Note: Use a softer, contemplative tone. This imagery is vivid and serves as a warning against anger and defiance."Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper..."
Acting Note: Deliver this section with measured conviction. Katherine explains the role of a husband with a mix of respect and practicality."I am asham’d that women are so simple To offer war where they should kneel for peace..."
Acting Note: Infuse this with personal regret. Katherine’s tone suggests a lesson learned, making her admonition heartfelt."My mind hath been as big as one of yours, My heart as great, my reason haply more..."
Acting Note: Acknowledge her own past defiance with a sense of humility. She connects her experience to theirs, creating empathy."Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot, And place your hands below your husband’s foot..."
Acting Note: Conclude with solemnity and finality. Katherine’s tone here should feel resolved, emphasizing her choice to submit.
Journey Keypoints
Hook: Katherine commands attention with a direct appeal to the women, calling for a change in attitude.
Turning Point: She uses vivid imagery to describe the negative effects of defiance and anger.
Climax: Katherine delivers her central argument, explaining the husband’s role and the wife’s duty.
Resolution: She reflects on her own past defiance, urging the women to adopt humility and submission.
Famous or Notable Actors Who Have Played the Role
Elizabeth Taylor (1967 Film)
Fiona Shaw (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1987)
Bianca Amato (Theatre for a New Audience, 2012)
Cush Jumbo (Shakespeare in the Park, 2016)
Discover the complexity of Katherine’s transformation with ACS Drama School Audition Coaching. Whether playing submission earnestly or with subtle irony, our expert coaching will help you craft a captivating performance. Start your acting journey today at ACS