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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 4Scene 3
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“masquing stuff”
Cultural Context
Act 4,
Scene 3
Lines 86-92

An explanation of “masquing” in Act 4, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Petruchio

Thy gown? Why, ay, come, tailor, let us see't.
O mercy, God, what masquing stuff is here?    
What's this, a sleeve? 'Tis like a demi-cannon.    
What, up and down carved like an apple tart?
Here's snip and nip and cut and slish and slash,
Like to a censer in a barber's shop.
Why, what a devil's name, tailor, call'st thou this?    

A masque was an aristocratic entertainment where the guests wore colorful theatrical costumes. These clothes were usually of poor quality since they were worn only for that one occasion.