The Significance of Dramatic Comedy in the Lead Up to the Wedding Scene Anonymous 12th Grade

This scene occurs directly before the marriage Katherina and Petruchio in act three, it marks the climax of the play. No exact setting is given, that is down to the interpretation of the director. It takes place in Pachua but whether outside the church, in the street, or at Baptista's house is left unclear. The first stage direction states the entry of almost all of the main characters, this causes chaos and excitement, Shakespeare is using stagecraft here to prepare his audience for the play's climax.

The opening line sets the stage for the upcoming scene and it is appropriate that it comes from Baptista as he was the organiser of the engagement "this is the pointed day that... should be married". His next line comes as a surprise "yet we hear not of our son in law", in the previous act we saw Petruchio desperate to be married no matter what Kate's personality "I come to wive it wealthily". There is comedy here in the sudden apparent change in his feelings, the juxtaposition of his determinedness to marry and his absence at the wedding. Baptista panics about the embarrassment for him to have his daughter left at the altar "what mockery will it be". It is already clear to us by this point that he cares very little for Katharina,...