ble” as her meaning, as it is used several lines earlier. Petruchio’s line, “To her, Kate,” which follows her statement further suggests the latter significance (5.2.34). His line incites Katerina to contend with the widow. If he had believed Katerina tamed, he would not urge her to fight, a behavior far from “temperate.” He even bets that his wife can “put down” Hortentio’s, a statement that affirms both his confidence in Katerina herself and her ability to insult the widow. The term “put down” implies that Katerina can “disparage…humiliate…and belittle” her opponent, all of which imply that she retains her contentious abilities (Webster’s 951). Despite the initial impression implied by the message of Katerina’s final speech, she continues to retain her individuality. Petruchio alludes to this quality even as she enters the room, with the two “froward wives / As prisoners to her [Katerina’s] womanly persuasion” (5.2.119-120). Qualifying the other women “as prisoners” to Katerina, Petruchio suggests that she controls the situation. Additionally, the phrase “to her womanly persuasion” suggests a double meaning that again labels Katerina a dominating force. “Womanly persuasion” implies both Katerina’s manners of conduct as a woman and, more significantly, her ability “to move by argument or expostulation” (Webster’s 868). Insinuating that Katerina moves the other women through debate or disapproval, Petruchio affirms that she still is quarrelsome. If he thought she was completely tamed, he would not intimate that she is still antagonistic.Katerina’s language during this speech also suggests that she once again is acting out a part. During her lecture, Katerina switches the subject of her address from the familiar second person to the formal &#...
