101 Books, Number 31

Favorite Books from Throughout My Life

31: The Taming of the Shrew, 1589–92 (?), by William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

I spent about a decade with

This play I loved to teach.

My 8^th-grade students liked it, too—

But did I overreach?

There is no question—none at all—

About that noted Bard:

He has a lot to teach us, but

He can be very hard.

Into the world of Will we dived—

And many came to care—

Although there were some times, of course,

When we came up for air.

Petruchio and Katherine—

That broiling, brawling two—

And others who are in that play—

It’s such a motley crew.

We screened the Zeffirelli film,

A film I love to watch,

For Richard Burton, as you know,

Is excellent—topnotch.

We memorized some lines, as well,*

And learned about the times,

About the music, clothing, homes,

Economy and crimes.

And realized the play tells how

Both lovers must submit—

Surrender to the marriage—oh,

The miracle of it!

Yes, Shakespeare was a Superman—

He knew what he wrote of.

His pen would touch the paper, and

We learned of life and love.

*Petruchio's speech, beginning, "Well, come, my Kate, we will unto your father's ...."