Kate's wedding day approaches, and all the arrangements are made. However, one thing is missing: the groom. When the wedding party waits at the church, wondering if Petruchio will show, Kate is visibly disappointed. When Petruchio finally arrives, he is dressed inappropriately, purposely causing an uproar in his subtle attempt to mirror the senseless bad behavior of his wife-to-be. After the wedding ceremony, Petruchio insists he and Katherine head back to his house immediately, forcing her to miss their own wedding reception. When the newlyweds arrive at Petruchio's house, we hear that they fought the entire way. Upon arriving, Kate is denied food or sleep all under the guise of Petruchio taking especial care of her (no food is good enough nor bed fit enough).
Back at Baptista's house, Hortensio is beginning to realize that Bianca may, in fact, favor his rival, Cambio (the real Lucentio). In his anger, he renounces his pursuit of Bianca and vows to marry a rich widow. He leaves as Tranio enters, informing the lovers of the new development. In order to expedite the marriage of Lucentio and Bianca, though, Tranio needs to find someone to impersonate Vincentio, Lucentio's father, in order to confirm Lucentio's riches. A Pedant approaches and is soon convinced that it would be in his best interest to impersonate Vincentio. Later he will meet with Baptista and convince him that Lucentio (Tranio) is his son and that he does, indeed, possess the riches he claims. When Baptista agrees to the marriage, Biondello informs Cambio (the real Lucentio), and a secret marriage between Bianca and the real Lucentio is arranged.
