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monologue
Comedy
1 Character

Act IV, Scene 1 — Thus have I politicly begun my reign

from The Taming of the Shrew

Written by William Shakespeare

Petruchio addresses the audience to explain his psychological strategy for 'taming' Katherine. He compares his methods to training a falcon, intending to deprive her of food and sleep under the guise of caring for her well-being.

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PETRUCHIO: Thus have I politicly begun my reign,

And ’tis my hope to end successfully.

My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,

And till she stoop, she must not be full-gorged,

For then she never looks upon her lure.

Another way I have to man my haggard,

To make her come, and know her keeper’s call

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CharactersPetruchio
Duration2 min
Age Range25-35
GenderMale
GenreComedy
PeriodClassical
Formatmonologue
SourceThe Taming of the Shrew
Tonepowerful
AccentRP
Suitable Fordrama school audition, general practice, competition
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