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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct 5Scene 2
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“A good swift simile, but something currish”
Double Meaning
Act 5,
Scene 2
Lines 44-54

An explanation of “something currish” in Act 5, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Petruchio

Nay, that you shall not. Since you have begun,   
Have at you for a better jest or two.    

Bianca

Am I your bird? I mean to shift my bush,
And then pursue me as you draw your bow.    
You are welcome all.    
[Exit Bianca, Katherina, and Widow]

Petruchio

She hath prevented me here, Signor Tranio,        
This bird you aimed at though you hit her not.    
Therefore a health to all that shot and missed.    

Tranio

O, sir, Lucentio slipped me like his greyhound,    
Which runs himself and catches for his master.

Petruchio

A good swift simile, but something currish.    

Petruchio picks up on Tranio’s dog simile from line 52 in his wordplay:

“a good swift simile”

  1. Tranio came up with his simile swiftly.
  2. Tranio compared himself to a swift greyhound.

“but something currish”

A cur is an ordinary mongrel dog.