Help with Taming of the Shrew Monologue.?

Question

I have to read this monologue for an audition. I have already interpreted it myself, but I'm still a little unclear of the meanings. I have to do this for a Kiss Me Kate audition, so I'm not that familiar with the play The Taming of the Shrew outside of what's included in Kiss Me Kate. Could I get some help on what's happening at this point? A break down of this monologue? I would appreciate any help!

Here is the monologue:

Taming of the Shrew

Act IV, sc. 3

KATHERINA

The more my wrong, the more his spite appears:

What, did he marry me to famish me?

Beggars, that come unto my father's door,

Upon entreaty have a present aims; If not, elsewhere they meet with charity:

But I, who never knew how to entreat,

Nor never needed that I should entreat,

Am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep,

With oath kept waking and with brawling fed:

And that which spites me more than all these wants,

He does it under name of perfect love;

As who should say, if I should sleep or eat, '

Twere deadly sickness or else present death. I prithee go and get me some repast;

I care not what, so it be wholesome food.

Answer 1

At this point, Katherina has married Petrutchio. She has lived with him for a short while. Petrutchio has denied her sleep or food saying that it is not good enough for her. Her will is beginning to break. She is begging a servant of Petrutchio to find her something to eat. I hope this helps and Break A Leg at your audition.  

Answer 2

This is actually part of my HSC monologue - so I'd love to help!

What, did he marry me to famish me?

(In my monologue I'm appealing to the audience, asking them a question. She says it in disbelief, - did he marry me to FAMISH me???)

Beggars that come unto my father's door upon entreaty have a present alms, if not elsewhere they meet with charity.

(Basically, beggers who come to her father's house ask for food or money and get it, or else they get it somewhere else.)

But I, who never knew how to entreat

(entreaty - ask or request earnestly. So basically she's demanded or commanded all her life, she's never just plain asked)

Am starved for meat (he hasn't let her eat)

Giddy for lack of sleep (he hasn't let her sleep)

With oaths kept waking (keeping her awake)

With brawling fed (Massive fights over eating)

And that which spites me more than all these wants

He does it under name of perfect love

(she's astonished here, unbelieving, as though - man! he can't actually be doing this because he loves me???)

As who should say if I should sleep or eat

(really stuck up!)

Twere deadly sickness or else present death

I prithee go and get me some repast, I care not what so long as it be wholesome food

(Basically, a demand. A stuck up demand)

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

right.

she's desperate at this point.

growing up, she had whatever she wanted, and now she can't even get food. She's at her breaking point.

The servant then teases her with different types of food. It's all part of her "taming."

she's pitiful, but don't forget..it's a comedy.