In Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” Petruchio approaches his marriage to Kate as an opportunity to control her. Before they meet for the first time, Petruchio discusses his plans to court her. He states he will “...woo her with some spirit when she comes! Say that she rail, why then I’ll tell her plain She sings as sweetly as a nightingale.” (177-179) Despite her crude and ruthless comments, Petruchio plans to act as though she is flirting with him and speaking in beautiful prose. The structure of these lines show the playful approach Petruchio plans to use to subdue Kate. He speaks in internal rhymes which plays into the witty and lighthearted banter that he and Kate enter into in the next few lines. He believes if he approaches her with “spirit” it will benefit him. He knows Kate is infamous for her sharp tongue and wit. If he does not keep up and over power her intellectually, he has no chance of controlling her. Comparatively, the nightingale is known for its gentle and sweet call. Comparing Kate to a nightingale is a part of a recurring theme in the book. Petruchio constantly refers Kate to animals, whether wild or calm. In this particular quote she is referred to as a sweet and gentle animal. This is because Petruchio is trying to appeal to her better nature and woo her. However, when Kate first appears in the play, she is called a “wildcat” by Gremio. The constant reference of kate to an animal shows that people want to tame her wild personality and make her a domesticated creature.