Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Taming of the Shrew. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Katherina, once known as the “shrew,” wins her husband Petruchio a bet by being the only wife who comes when called. She then gives a long speech telling the other wives to obey their husbands, and Petruchio says “Come on, and kiss me, Kate.”
Quick facts
– Book: The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
– First published: 1592
– Type: A comic play
– Tone of the ending: Comic but troubling
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In Padua, Baptista will not let his younger daughter Bianca marry until her sharp-tongued older sister Katherina is wed. Petruchio arrives looking for a rich wife and agrees to marry Kate. After the wedding, he “tames” her by denying her food and sleep and contradicting everything she says, while Bianca's suitors use disguises to win her.
What Happens at the End of The Taming of the Shrew
At a banquet after Bianca's wedding to Lucentio, the three new husbands bet on whose wife is most obedient. Bianca and the Widow refuse to come when called, but Katherina appears at once. Petruchio orders her to fetch the other wives and to lecture them on a wife's duty. Kate delivers a long speech saying husbands are “thy lord, thy king,” and she places her hand beneath her husband's foot. Petruchio wins the bet, and the others are amazed.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Kate's obedience wins the bet.
- Bianca turns out to be less sweet than she seemed.
- Kate's final speech is the most debated part of the play.
- The frame story of Christopher Sly is never resolved.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Katherina | Appears obedient to Petruchio |
| Petruchio | Wins the wager |
| Bianca | Married to Lucentio and openly defiant |
| Lucentio | Loses the bet |
What the Ending Means
On the surface, the ending celebrates a wife's submission. Many modern readers see it as uncomfortable, or as Kate playing a role on her own terms.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some productions perform Kate's speech with irony, as if she and Petruchio are sharing a joke. Others play it straight to show how disturbing it is.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Gender roles. The play explores power within marriage.
Performance. Disguises and role-playing run through the plot.
Social expectations. Marriage is treated as a business deal.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Taming of the Shrew as comic but troubling. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected William Shakespeare to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are comic but troubling will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how William Shakespeare closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You moves the story to an American high school and drops the obedience speech.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Taming of the Shrew with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about gender roles, and do you agree with William Shakespeare's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as comic but troubling, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces gender roles and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what William Shakespeare leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Taming of the Shrew often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Taming of the Shrew earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Taming of the Shrew on Amazon
Books to Read After The Taming of the Shrew
- A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
- Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Related: The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Taming of the Shrew You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Taming of the Shrew?
Katherina, once known as the “shrew,” wins her husband Petruchio a bet by being the only wife who comes when called. She then gives a long speech telling the other wives to obey their husbands, and Petruchio says “Come on, and kiss me, Kate.”
Is the ending of The Taming of the Shrew happy or sad?
Most readers call it comic but troubling.
What does the ending of The Taming of the Shrew mean?
On the surface, the ending celebrates a wife's submission.
Is the ending of The Taming of the Shrew the same in the adaptation?
The 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You moves the story to an American high school and drops the obedience speech.
Who wrote The Taming of the Shrew and when was it published?
The Taming of the Shrew was written by William Shakespeare and first published in 1592.
Is The Taming of the Shrew worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy comic plays. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how William Shakespeare prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Taming of the Shrew before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.