A Kate of Their Own
A monologue and twist on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
Author’s Note: You may use this monologue for auditions. All I ask is you credit me as the writer of the monologue when introducing it. And if you make a recording of your performance, please send me a link, I want to see that. No commercial use though.
(Scene opens with Kate sitting comfortably with a diary and pen in hand. She speaks what she writes into her diary. Note: Kate is the famous character Katherine from William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.)
KATE: I see now what I must become to ensure some measure of peace. Petruchio is not content unless I am seemingly obedient in all things, no matter how absurd his fancy may be. My forward tongue, they tell me, is shrewd and I am displeasing to men’s senses. Perhaps they would like me had I but smiled more. Speaking my heart and truth in matters, no matter how important, only begats Petruchio’s wrath. When he is displeased with me, he makes up all manner of excuses to withhold food from me and robs me of my sleep. He even puts his servants up to this farce as well. He delights in my discomfort. Henceforth, I will strive to make him as comfortable and pleased as possible. I will put on the face of an obedient and dutiful wife. I will not question when he sees a sun where a moon is or a moon where his ass lays. I will nod, smile, and tell all that it is my duty, nay, my privilege to be in his company and that I am blessed to have his good fortune. This is what I must do outwardly, and I must keep up my own farce so that I may eat when and what pleases me. So that I may sleep when I am tired of his incessant squabbling or arrogant bragging about how he has tamed the great beast called Woman. My only regret is that Bianca may not know of the farce I indulge in. She will be confused and think me aloof. If it pleases Petruchio, I will advise her in all things submissive and pleasing to men. I pray she can see through my farce for its purpose. In time, perhaps, I will let her in on the farce, but not now. It is too dangerous to my wellbeing as there are too many prying eyes, especially that Grumio. May he trip over his own tongue and fall face first into his own arrogance. Alas, I will be known as Fair Kate. No man will speak ill of my name henceforth, begging that they themselves may be so fortunate to snare themselves a Kate of their own. A wife who is chaste with her tongue and heart, but heaps blessings and praises upon her husband’s greasy head. Therein will lie my triumph. In Petruchio’s false victory lies the truth: the beast tamed its master. I will revel in my victory o’er man while he gloats unawares that he is made the fool. I must put down the pen, Grumio brings me grapes, and I must rest.
END SCENE