In The Taming of the Shrew, explain why the situation related to the quote below is ironic."Sir, my mistress sends you word That she is busy amd...

This is part of the famous finale of this excellent and
extremely funny play, when each of the male characters decide to perform a test to see which of
their wives is the most obedient and respectful. Now, just think about the two sisters, Bianca
and Katharina. Based on their actions throughout the entire play and the way that they have
responded to the male characters, who do you think is going to show the most respect and
obedience to their husband? Your answer reveals the massive irony of this ending - we do
definitely not expect Katharina to be the one who comes, we would think that Bianca, who after
all has shown herself to be mild-mannered and subservient throughout the play, and yet the quote
you have highlighted shows that she does not come. Therein lies the massive irony of these events
- the gap between appearance and reality. It appears that Petruchio has been successful in
"taming" his "shrew" to such an extent that she is more obedient to her husband than her
sister.