What does Hortensio confess to Tranio?

• A. Hortensio confesses that he is not Litio and has given up on Bianca's love
• B. He has found another suitor for Bianca
• C. He plans to marry Katherine himself
• D. He will withdraw from the pursuit altogether

Answer: (A)

Disguises and shifting plans in courtship are at play here. Hortensio has been masquerading as a music tutor named Litio to win Bianca’s favor, using the disguise as his strategy. When he confesses to Tranio that he is not Litio, he’s revealing that the ruse is over and the pursuit of Bianca isn’t working for him. Bianca has shown no interest in his Litio persona, so Hortensio decides to abandon that approach and pivot to other prospects—specifically, aiming for a different marriage market, such as a wealthy widow. This makes sense as the best answer because it directly states his true identity and his change of plan, capturing the theme of opportunism and the practical aims behind arranged marriages in the play. The other possibilities don’t fit what he reveals: he isn’t announcing a new pursuit for Bianca, he isn’t planning to marry Katherine, and he isn’t withdrawing from the world of marriage altogether.