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Petruchio and Grumio, Lines 1-20
Performance Videos
Act 1,
Scene 2
Lines 1-20

Petruchio and Grumio perform lines 1-20 of Act 1, Scene 2 of myShakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

[Padua, in front of the home of Hortensio, one of Bianca’s suitors. Enter Petruchio, Hortensio’s friend who has just arrived from Verona for a visit. Accompanying Petruchio is his rascally servant, Grumio (not to be confused with Gremio, the elder suitor of Bianca and Hortensio's rival).]

Petruchio

Verona, for a while I take my leave
To see my friends in Padua, but of all  
My best belovèd and approvèd friend,    
Hortensio; and I trow this is his house.    
Here, sirrah Grumio, knock, I say.

Grumio

Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there any
man has rebused your worship?

Petruchio

Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.    

Grumio

Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, what am I, sir, that
I should knock you here, sir?

Petruchio

Villain, I say, knock me at this gate,    
and rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate.    

Grumio

My master is grown quarrelsome.
I should knock you first,
And then I know after who comes by the worst.

Petruchio

Will it not be?
Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll ring it;
[He wrings Grumio by the ears. Grumio falls to the ground screaming]
I'll try how you can ‘sol,’ ‘fa,’ and sing it.

Grumio

Help, masters, help! My master is mad.

Petruchio

Now, knock when I bid you, sirrah villain.