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    The Merry Wives of Windsor

    comedy

    The Merry Wives of Windsor is one of Shakespeare's broadest comedies, and the only one set in everyday English small-town life. The boastful, broke knight Sir John Falstaff sends identical love letters to two married women, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, hoping to get at their husbands' money. The two women compare notes, realise what he is up to, and decide to have some fun with him. They string him along and humiliate him over and over, while he never suspects they planned it together.

    ▸SCENE I. Windsor. Before PAGE's house.▸SCENE II. The same.▸SCENE III. A room in the Garter Inn.▸SCENE IV. A room in DOCTOR CAIUS' house.

    ▸SCENE I. Before PAGE'S house.▸SCENE II. A room in the Garter Inn.▸SCENE III. A field near Windsor.

    ▸SCENE I. A field near Frogmore.▸SCENE II. A street.▸SCENE III. A room in FORD'S house.▸SCENE IV. A room in PAGE'S house.▸SCENE V. A room in the Garter Inn.

    ▸SCENE I. A street.▸SCENE II. A room in FORD'S house.▸SCENE III. A room in the Garter Inn.▸SCENE IV. A room in FORD'S house.▸SCENE V. A room in the Garter Inn.▸SCENE VI. Another room in the Garter Inn.

    ▸SCENE I. A room in the Garter Inn.▸SCENE II. Windsor Park.▸SCENE III. A street leading to the Park.▸SCENE IV. Windsor Park.▸SCENE V. Another part of the Park.

    Characters

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    Sir John FalstaffFat knight, would-be seducerMistress FordOne of the merry wivesMistress PageThe other merry wife, bolder and funnierMaster FordJealous husband, Mistress Ford's husband

    Famous Quotes

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    “Why, then the world's mine oyster. Which I with sword will open.”

    Pistol — Act 2, Scene 2

    “I cannot tell what the dickens his name is.”

    Mistress Page — Act 3, Scene 2

    “Have I caught thee, my heavenly jewel? Why, now let me die, for I have lived long enough.”

    Falstaff — Act 3, Scene 3

    Further Reading

    Best Lines by Shakespeare: Quotes on Life, Love and More

    A curated collection of Shakespeare's most famous lines, organised by theme, from love and loss to daily wisdom, sport and celebration. Each quote includes the play it comes from and why it still resonates.

    Who Was William Shakespeare? A Complete Life and Biography

    The life of Shakespeare: born in Stratford 1564, the Globe, his death in 1616, and the First Folio. The facts, checked.

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