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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 2Scene 1
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“In cypress chests my arras counterpoints”
Cultural Context
Act 2,
Scene 1
Lines 342-359

An explanation of Gremio's reference to "cypress chests" and "arras counterpoints" in Act 2, Scene 1 of myShakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.  

Baptista

Say, Signor Gremio, what can you assure her?

Gremio

First, as you know, my house within the city
Is richly furnishèd with plate and gold,
Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands, 
My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry.
In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns,
In cypress chests my arras counterpoints,
Costly apparel, tents, and canopies,    
Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl,    
Valance of Venice gold in needlework,            
Pewter and brass, and all things that belong
To house or housekeeping. Then, at my farm
I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail,    
Six-score fat oxen standing in my stalls,    
And all things answerable to this portion.    
Myself am struck in years, I must confess;    
And if I die tomorrow, this is hers,
If, whilst I live, she will be only mine.

Chests made from the exceptionally hard wood of the cypress tree found in the eastern Mediterranean, not to be confused with the picturesque cypress trees found in the swamps of the southeast United States. The city of Arras in France is famous for its beautiful weaving.