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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 4Scene 5
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“wander we to see thy honest son”
Irony
Act 4,
Scene 5
Lines 58-69

An explanation of the irony in Petruchio’s calling Lucentio “honest” in Act 4, Scene 5 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Petruchio

Happily we met, the happier for thy son.
And now by law, as well as reverend age,
I may entitle thee my loving father.    
The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman,
Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not,    
Nor be grieved. She is of good esteem,    
Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth,
Beside so qualified as may beseem    
The spouse of any noble gentleman.
Let me embrace with old Vincentio,
And wander we to see thy honest son,    
Who will, of thy arrival, be full joyous.

When they arrive, they’re not going to find Vincentio’s “honest son,” but rather Tranio impersonating Lucentio.