How does Katharine react when Petruchio is late to the wedding?

• A. She sings in joy
• B. She awaits calmly
• C. She cancels the marriage
• D. She cries out to her father about humiliation

Answer: (D)

Kate’s reaction showcases how public embarrassment and paternal authority shape her response in this moment. The wedding is a public ceremony, and Petruchio’s lateness undermines the ritual and Kate’s dignity, so she turns to her father, Baptista, seeking recognition and defense from someone with rightful authority. This moment reveals that she’s still tied to social expectations and to the protective presence of her father, rather than being entirely autonomous in the situation. The other options don’t fit the scene’s tension or Kate’s emotional state: she isn’t joyful or calm, and there isn’t yet a moment for canceling the marriage.