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“Marry, I fare well for here is cheer enough”
Language
Act Introduction,
Scene 2
Lines 98-99

An explanation of the wordplay on “fare” in Introduction 2 of myShakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Page

How fares my noble lord?    

Sly

Marry, I fare well for here is cheer enough.    

“Marry” is short for “Virgin Mary.” It’s a mild oath, similar to our saying “For heaven’s sake!” The page has asked Sly how he “fares,” or how he’s doing. Sly naturally interprets “fare” to refer to its other sense — drinking.