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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 2Scene 1
Back to the Play
“quiet,” “match,” and “catch”
Irony and Wordplay
Act 2,
Scene 1
Lines 323-328

An explanation of the wordplay on “quiet,” “match,” and “catch” in Act 2, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Baptista

Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's part,
And venture madly on a desperate mart.    

Tranio

'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you;
'Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.

Baptista

The gain I seek is quiet in the match.    

Gremio

No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch.

Gremio plays on “quiet...match” with “quiet catch.” Baptista hopes for a quiet match (peaceful marriage). Gremio’s being ironic when he says he has no doubt that Petruchio will get a “quiet catch.”