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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 1Scene 2
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Cultural Context
Cultural Context
Act 1,
Scene 2
Lines 190-205

An explanation of Petruchio’s reference to chestnuts in Act 1, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Gremio

You shall have me assisting you in all.
But will you woo this wildcat?

Petruchio

Will I live?    

Grumio (servant)

[Aside] Will he woo her? Ay, or I'll hang her.

Petruchio

Why came I hither but to that intent?
Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?    
Have I not in my time heard lions roar?
Have I not heard the sea, puffed up with winds,
Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?    
Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,    
And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies?
Have I not, in a pitched battle, heard
Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?    
And do you tell me of a woman's tongue
That gives not half so great a blow to hear
As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire?

Roasting chestnuts over a fire causes them to pop like popcorn.