You are here

All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 4Scene 1
Back to the Play
“Another way I have to man my haggard,”
Double Meaning
Act 4,
Scene 1
Lines 169-177

An explanation of “man my haggard” in Act 4, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Petruchio

Thus have I politicly begun my reign,    
And 'tis my hope to end successfully.    
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,    
And till she stoop, she must not be full-gorged,    
For then she never looks upon her lure.
Another way I have to man my haggard,    
To make her come and know her keeper's call:
That is to watch her, as we watch these kites    
That bate and beat, and will not be obedient.    

A haggard is a wild female falcon or hawk in the process of being trained (females make better hunters). Petruchio uses the phrase “man my haggard” in two senses:

  1. To get his haggard accustomed to being around humans.
  2. To rule over his wild female, Kate.

Wild birds tend to get anxious around humans and beat their wings. Petruchio intends to use the same technique with Kate that trainers use with haggards: keep her awake until she tires and calms down.