For our creative piece for The Taming of the Shrew our group decided to write and perform a parody of the song “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. The song is written in two parts. The first two verses are from the perspective of the people who knew Katharine before Petruchio and they’re warning Petruchio of the grave challenge he faces ahead of him in his attempts to tame the shrew. Multiple warnings are issued by these men about the devious games that Kate plays and how she crushes most men who cross her path. The second part is from the perspective of Petruchio in the barn as he chases after Kate during their battle of wits. In this part Petruchio has yet to defeat Kate but is making his attempts to do so as he pleads, “How I wish you were mine,” the song concludes without the listener knowing that Petruchio does in the end get Kate to be his.

Link to the video of the song: https://youtu.be/9L7tCapQAPo

Lyrics: So, so you think you can tame The spirit of Kate Independent and free Causing men to flee With a cold steel glare Her suitors beware Do you think you can tame?

Did she get you to play Her devious games New prey every week New ways to make men break Dissecting their brains Did you restrain Her want to kill any man Who may tame her to a cage

How I wish, how I wish you were mine We’re just two lost souls Sitting in an old barn Wit after wit Nearly winning on Kate’s home ground And how she found Her same old tricks How I wish you were mine

Performed by: Marcus D Lyrics by: Adam G and Sean K Video Created by: Adam G Original Song: Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

This moment of interaction between Katherine and Petruchio as he begins to tame, is a glimpse into how Petruchio uses reverse psychology in order to to marry Katherine. When we are first introduced to her, she is a violent and mal-tempered individual and is especially against the idea of being married off, thus her foul and violent actions towards Petruchio. However, Petruchio isn’t anymore angelic, with his often drunk and chivalrous attempts to handle Kate. By taking all things negative that have been said about Katherine and the warnings delivered to him about her, rather than walk away and never attempt to interact with her, Petruchio uses the moment he has with her to disregard all the outside comments and compliment her with remarks such as “pleasant” and “sweet as springtime flowers”. This catches Katherine off guard considering this is most likely the first time she has a suitor regard her as a charming person, as she has turned away all other previous suitors with her temper and violence. To see Petruchio put himself inside of her head and to begin reconstructing her persona, it shines a light on how he follows his own system to marry a person of interest, one which is both unique, and will eventually lead to Katherine’s obedience of Petruchio.