Scene IV: Doctor Caius's House explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Marriage and Courtship

  Multiple suitors—Slender, Caius, and Fenton—compete for Anne Page's hand, with Mistress Quickly as a go-between.

• Deception and Disguise

  Mistress Quickly hides Simple in the closet and later lies to Caius about his purpose.

• Jealousy and Trust

  Caius's violent jealousy upon finding Simple and his suspicion of Sir Hugh's interference.

Characters to notice

• Mistress Quickly

  Manages the household and mediates between suitors for Anne Page.

• Simple

  Sent by Sir Hugh Evans to speak with Mistress Quickly on behalf of Master Slender.

• Doctor Caius

  Discovers Simple in his closet and becomes enraged, challenging Sir Hugh to a duel.

• Master Fenton

  Visits Mistress Quickly to seek her support in his suit for Anne Page.

• John Rugby

  Caius's servant, called to watch and later accompany his master.

Key passages

• “I pray thee go to the casement, and see if you can see my master, Master Doctor Caius, coming: if he do, i’ faith, and find anybody in the house, here will be an old abusing of God’s patience and the King’s English.”

  Please go to the window and watch for Doctor Caius; if he comes and finds someone here, there will be a terrible uproar.

  Mistress Quickly warns Rugby to keep watch, fearing Caius's anger.

• “By gar, it is a shallenge: I will cut his troat in de Park; and I will teach a scurvy jack-a-nape priest to meddle or make.”

  By God, this is a challenge: I will cut his throat in the park and teach that wretched priest to interfere.

  Caius vows to duel Sir Hugh Evans for meddling in his courtship of Anne Page.

• “I know Anne’s mind as well as another does.”

  I know Anne's intentions as well as anyone.

  Mistress Quickly claims insider knowledge of Anne's feelings, though she may be exaggerating.