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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 4Scene 5
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“Petruchio, go thy ways; the field is won”
Metaphor
Act 4,
Scene 5
Lines 17-23

An explanation of Hortensio’s military metaphor in Act 4, Scene 5 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Petruchio

Nay, then you lie. It is the blessèd sun.

Katherina

Then, God be blessed, it is the blessèd sun,
But sun it is not when you say it is not,
And the moon changes even as your mind.    
What you will have it named, even that it is,    
And so it shall be so for Katherine.

Hortensio

Petruchio, go thy ways, the field is won.    

Hortensio is comparing Petruchio to a victorious military commander who is free to take his army in whichever direction he chooses.