Which three couples are married by the end?

• A. Bianca and Lucentio; Katherine and Petruchio
• B. Hortensio and a Wealthy Widow
• C. Bianca and Lucentio; Hortensio and a Wealthy Widow
• D. Bianca and Lucentio; Katherine and Petruchio; Hortensio and a Wealthy Widow

Answer: (D)

Three marriages are settled by the end, tying up both the main and subplot threads. Bianca weds Lucentio after he wooes her under a disguise as Cambio, Katharine weds Petruchio after their turbulent but ultimately bonded partnership, and Hortensio marries a wealthy widow he pursues to gain security and status. The final scene brings all three couples together and confirms these unions, which is why this option is the best one. The other possibilities don’t reflect the actual endings: Hortensio ends up with the wealthy widow, while Katherine and Petruchio’s marriage is the other central pairing, and Bianca marries Lucentio, not any different match.