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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 2Scene 1
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“Asses are made to bear”
Wordplay
Act 2,
Scene 1
Lines 194-198

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

Katherina

You were a moveable.    

Petruchio

Why, what's a moveable?

Katherina

A joined stool.

Petruchio

Thou hast hit it. Come, sit on me.    

Katherina

Asses are made to bear, and so are you.

To paraphrase Katherine, “Asses (donkeys) are used to bear loads, so if you want me to sit on you, you must be an ass.”