In the battle of the sexes, who wins?

• A. Petruchio
• B. Kate
• C. Both
• D. None

Answer: (A)

In this scene of power dynamics between the sexes, the test is who can shape the other’s behavior and expectations within a marriage. Petruchio wins by using a deliberate, controlling strategy to force Kate toward submission. He disrupts her comfort and routines—dictating meals, sleep, attire, and even the pace of daily life—so that Kate’s will is gradually worn down and redirected to align with his authority. The culminating moment is Kate publicly presenting herself as a wife who defers to her husband, which serves as the social signal that the power balance has shifted in Petruchio’s favor. The victory, then, is about achieving obedience and social order through psychological and practical control, not a fair competition of equal power.