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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 2Scene 1
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“dainties are all Kates”
Wordplay
Act 2,
Scene 1
Lines 167-177

An explanation of Petruchio’s wordplay on Kate’s name in Act 2, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Petruchio

Say that she rail, why then I'll tell her plain
She sings as sweetly as a nightingale.
Say that she frown, I'll say she looks as clear
As morning roses newly washed with dew.
Say she be mute and will not speak a word,
Then I'll commend her volubility    
And say she uttereth piercing eloquence.    
If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks    
As though she bid me stay by her a week.    
If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day    
When I shall ask the banns, and when be marrièd.    

Both the word cates and the word dainties refer to food delicacies. In that sense, all cates (Kates) are dainties—therefore, Kate is dainty (wonderful).