Ode to Petruchio: ad cupam
Author’s Note (for the doubters and the dreamers):
Let me say this clearly: I adore Petruchio. No irony. No agenda. No academic dissection with sterile tweezers. I listened to The Taming of the Shrew on audiobook—Petruchio performed beautifully by Peter O’Toole, rhythm pulsing like blood through wine-wet chambers—and I fell for him. The voice. The wit. The way he plays the game and wins by joyfully refusing to follow anyone’s rules but his own. I didn’t hear abuse. I heard mischief, erotic intelligence, a man who doesn’t mind a little mess in his muse.
This isn’t feminist critique or postmodern scorn. It’s an ode, plain and seductive. I love his refusal to be conventional. I love the way he tames not with cruelty, but with a world of playful reversal. His universe is ruled by moonlight and innuendo. By the end, I wanted to kneel. And mean it. Let the critics wring their hands—I’m pouring Irish whiskey and writing poems to the man who flipped the script with a wink.
Here is my love letter, written in all earnestness and a splash of lipstick. Enjoy.
Today is a special day for me, so I’m sharing three posts in celebration. They’re all woven together by the same theme. :)
Ode to Petruchio: ad cupam
He first sets out to woo
showing His earned strength
giants He hast slew
though her cawing goes its length
His voice to hers is calm
His responses mirror love
gaslighting is the balm
which changes crow to dove
she learns see moon from sun
according to His whim
she wants to see HIS FUN:
a world that's never dim
His Friends are all amazed
her obedience now legend
They see Their wives are crazed
next to Petruchio's brigand
He lets loose her sharp tongue
to chastise those lame wives
who did not call when comed
her words they fell like knives
"you disobedient nags!
Lest you all forget:
without Him you'd don rags,
your 'plaints'd be beset."
shrew CHOSE to obey her Lord
she'd kneel 'fore no other
His Mates are in accord
"Kiss me Kate," said her lover.
I love Irish whiskey. Visit me again in my dreams.
♪ “Taming of the Shrew, Pt. 3” by William Shakespeare ♪
This is the specific recording that made me fall in love with Petruchio. I recommend the whole play to any and all.