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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 2Scene 1
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“A combless cock”
Wordplay
Act 2,
Scene 1
Lines 222-226

An explanation of the Petruchio’s play on “combless cock” and “hen” in Act 2, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Katherina

If you strike me, you are no gentleman,
And if no gentleman, why then no arms.    

Petruchio

A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books!

Katherina

What is your crest, a coxcomb?

Petruchio

A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen.    

To cut someone’s comb meant to cut a pretentious person down to size. Petruchio’s willing to be a combless cock if she’ll be his hen.