AThis is explained in the play, but not in the film. In Act 4, Scene 2, when Hortensio abandons his attempts to woo Bianca (in a scene not in the film), he announces that he will instead marry a wealthy widow who has been pursuing him for some time. This is the woman in the final scene, played by Bice Valori.
AIn the context of the play, this is a considerably controversial topic, which has been debated since the play was first performed in 1592. In the context of the film however, the issue is not quite so inflammatory because in the film, Katherina only seems to submit to Petruchio. In reality, she has manipulated him to think that she has submitted, and then, at his moment of glory, she pulls the rug out from underneath his joy. This is seen in the final scene of the film. As in the play, Petruchio, Lucentio and Hortensio have a wager to see which of their wives is the most obedient. Everyone is shocked when it turns out to be Katherina, and they begin to complement Petruchio on what a fine job he has done in taming her. The play ends at this point, but the film continues on. Just as Petruchio is soaking in the praise, he turns around to speak to Katherina, to find she has left the room without him, a grave insult, which causes all of those who had been previously praising him to begin laughing at him. The film then ends as he rushes from the room trying to find her.So, in the exclusive context of the film, Katherina doesn't fully succumb to Petruchio, she merely makes him think she has so as to dupe him.
