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All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct IntroductionScene 2
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Daphne, Apollo
Mythological Allusion
Act Introduction,
Scene 2
Lines 55-58

An explanation of the allusion to Daphne and Apollo in Introduction 2 of myShakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. 

Third Servant

Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood
Scratching her legs that one shall swear she bleeds,
And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep,    
So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn.

The god Apollo lusted after the nymph Daphne and chased her through the woods. She was saved from being ravished by Apollo by another god who turned her into a laurel tree. This myth gave rise to the custom of presenting a laurel wreath to the victor of a battle or sports competition.