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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 5Scene 2
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“though you hit the white”
Wordplay
Act 5,
Scene 2
Lines 184-189

An explanation of Petruchio’s wordplay on “white” in Act 5, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Lucentio

But a harsh hearing when women are froward.    

Petruchio

Come, Kate, we'll to bed.
[To others]
We three are married, but you two are sped.    
[To Lucentio]
'Twas I won the wager, though you hit the white,    
And being a winner, God give you good night!    
[Exit Petruchio and Katherina]

Hortensio

Now, go thy ways; thou hast tamed a curst shrew.

In Petruchio’s archery metaphor, he hit the bullseye while Lucentio came a close second by hitting the white ring which surrounds the bullseye. There’s a final bit of sexual innuendo here — Lucentio hits (scores with) Bianca (bianca is Italian for white).