How does Petruchio say he will address Katharine's unkind treatment when they first meet?

• A. He plans to kill Katharine with kindness.
• B. He plans to outwit her with insults.
• C. He plans to ignore her behavior entirely.
• D. He plans to challenge her to a duel.

Answer: (A)

The key idea being tested is Petruchio’s strategy for handling Katharine’s sharp temper: respond with relentless kindness rather than confrontation. When they first meet, he makes it clear his plan is to win her over by overwhelming her with generosity and good humor—the famous idea of “killing her with kindness.” The goal isn’t to match her insults or ignore her, or to pick a fight; it’s to disarm her stubbornness by showing constant benevolence, so her resistance gradually gives way to compliance and affection. This approach sets up the play’s theme of taming through controlled gentleness rather than direct aggression.