You are here

All Site ContentTaming of the ShrewAct IntroductionScene 2
Back to the Play
“by education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-herd”
Cultural Context
Act Introduction,
Scene 2
Lines 12-19

An explanation of Sly’s previous jobs in Introduction 2 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

 

Lord

Heaven cease this idle humor in your honor!    
O, that a mighty man of such descent,    
Of such possessions and so high esteem,
Should be infused with so foul a spirit!    

Sly

What, would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher
Sly, old Sly's son of Burtonheath, by birth a peddler, by     
education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-herd,    
and now by present profession a tinker? Ask Marian     

Cards are metal combs used to comb out wool before processing. A bear-herd was someone who took care of a trained bear that was toured around the countryside for entertainment.