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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 2Scene 1
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“slow-winged turtle”
Double Meaning
Act 2,
Scene 1
Lines 203-207

An explanation of Petruchio’s double meaning in Act 2, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Katherina

Too light for such a swain as you to catch,
And yet as heavy as my weight should be.

Petruchio

‘Should be’? Should buzz!

Katherina

                                            Well ta'en, and like a buzzard.

Petruchio

O slow-winged turtle, shall a buzzard take thee?    

Katherina

Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.

To paraphrase Petruchio, “Then shall a slow-flying turtle-dove like you be taken by a buzzard like me?” There’s also a sexual innuendo since a turtle-dove is the symbol of chastity.