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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 4Scene 1
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“of ourselves, ourselves are choleric”
Wordplay
Act 4,
Scene 1
Lines 150-157

An explanation of Petruchio’s wordplay on “ourselves” in Act 4, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Katherina

I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet.    
The meat was well if you were so contented.    

Petruchio

I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried away,
And I expressly am forbid to touch it,    
For it engenders choler, planteth anger,    
And better 'twere that both of us did fast —    
Since of ourselves, ourselves are choleric —    
Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh.

This subtle wordplay incorporates two senses of “ourselves.” “Of ourselves” means “inherently” or “by our own nature.” “Ourselves” then means “we.”