When Petruchio arrives at the wedding, what is surprising about his attire?

• A. He is dressed in shocking and odd attire
• B. He wears a clown suit
• C. He wears bright shining armor
• D. He arrives in modern dress

Answer: (C)

Petruchio’s attire signals his approach to the marriage: he arrives in bright, shining armor as a bold, almost martial display of dominance and wealth. The armor turns the wedding into a spectacle, foreshadowing his plan to “tame” Katharina through showy authority and force of personality rather than gentle negotiation. This theatrical, conqueror vibe is why the armor is surprising in a wedding setting—it's not about festivity, but about making a striking statement that he intends to win through power and display. The other options don’t fit the scene’s tone or historical context as well: a clownish or modern look would clash with Shakespeare’s world, and a vague “shocking” attire lacks the specific, symbolic impact of armor.