Katherine's Sonnet by Brian Isaacs, Lucas Larson, and Maia Seki: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-VHfiZ4mUI3TXrXbaOXLulJAnOt-feE5pQ3DLiVI_Z0/edit?usp=sharing

Petruchio torments Katherine by refusing to provide her with food or clothing. In an effort to “tame” her, he tells Grumio to tempt her with an empty promise of food, and later Petruchio insists that the dress the tailor has made does not fit Katherine properly, despite her attempt to argue that it fits fine. Katherine begins to realize that she can no longer continue her “shrewish” ways with her husband, Petruchio. This poem follows the events that take place during Act IV, Scene III, and demonstrates Katherine's frustration towards Petruchio. The mentions of “falcon” and “bird” are in reference to Petruchio’s monologue about marrying Katherine. He compares his new wife to a falcon that he must tame in order to convey his effort to gain dominance in their relationship. The final couplet of this sonnet hints at the irony of the entire situation: while Katherine is upset, she agrees to be complacent in order to please Petruchio’s wild demands.

Here, the reader witnesses a dramatic shift in Katherine’s behavior and attitude as she falls prone to Petruchio’s demands. After Katherine agrees that the blazing sun is in fact the moon, Petruchio tests her once more, insisting that an old man is actually a young maid. Katherine immediately agrees before Petruchio reverses his claim and tells her the “maid” was actually an old man all along. In these lines, Katherine demonstrates her complacency, giving into the “game” that Petruchio is playing. She states that she has been mistaken, apologizing for her error and ultimately agreeing that the man is old. The apparent disappearance of her previously wild and “shrewish” behavior indicates that Katherine has been “tamed” for the sake of pleasing Petruchio. Katherine is now the product of Petruchio’s desires, embodying the characteristics expected of a woman and wife at this time.