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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 2Scene 1
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Grissel, Lucrece
Allusions
Act 2,
Scene 1
Lines 287-296

An explanation of the allusions to Grissel and Lucrece in Act 2, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Petruchio

Father, 'tis thus. Yourself and all the world
That talked of her have talked amiss of her.    
If she be curst, it is for policy,    
For she's not froward, but modest as the dove;    
She is not hot, but temperate as the morn;    
For patience she will prove a second Grissel,
And Roman Lucrece for her chastity;
And to conclude, we have 'greed so well together,
That upon Sunday is the wedding-day.

Katherina

I'll see thee hanged on Sunday first.

Grissel is a well known figure from medieval European folklore, renowned for her patience and devotion. Lucrece was a virtuous noblewoman during the early days of Rome who committed suicide after being forced into having sex by the son of the king.

The Death of Lucretia, Antonio Carneo, second half of 17th century