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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 4Scene 1
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“malt-horse”
Cultural Context
Act 4,
Scene 1
Lines 106-110

An explanation of “malt-horse” in Act 4, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

 

Petruchio

Where is the foolish knave I sent before?    

Grumio

Here, sir, as foolish as I was before.

Petruchio

You peasant swain! You whoreson, malt-horse drudge!    
Did I not bid thee meet me in the park,
And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?

A malt-horse was the epitome of stupidity because it spent all day walking in a circle, turning the mill stone that ground the malt (grain) used to make ale.