# Scene III explained — The Merry Wives of Windsor

> Chapter companion for The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Doctor Caius waits for Sir Hugh Evans to duel but is persuaded by the Host to instead pursue Anne Page, while Justice Shallow and others mediate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

The Host deceives Doctor Caius by reinterpreting 'mockwater' and leading him away from the duel.

### Marriage and Courtship

Doctor Caius is redirected to woo Anne Page, highlighting the competition for her hand.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Caius

Eager to duel Sir Hugh Evans but diverted by the Host to woo Anne Page.

### John Rugby

Doctor Caius's servant, reluctant to fence.

### Host of the Garter

Arranges to bring Doctor Caius to Anne Page, using wordplay and persuasion.

### Justice Shallow

Intervenes to prevent the duel, recalling his own youthful fighting spirit.

### Master Page

Accompanies Shallow and Slender, supporting the peace.

### Master Slender

Present with the group, briefly greeting Doctor Caius.

## Key lines

> By gar, de herring is no dead so as I vill kill him.

By God, the herring is not as dead as I will kill him.

_Doctor Caius threatens Sir Hugh with extreme violence._

> He is the wiser man, Master doctor: he is a curer of souls, and you a curer of bodies; if you should fight, you go against the hair of your professions.

He is the wiser man, Master Doctor: he cures souls and you cure bodies; fighting would go against your professions.

_Shallow argues that a duel between a doctor and a clergyman is inappropriate._

> I will bring thee where Mistress Anne Page is, at a farmhouse a-feasting; and thou shalt woo her.

I will take you to where Mistress Anne Page is feasting at a farmhouse, and you can court her.

_The Host redirects Doctor Caius's attention from the duel to pursuing Anne Page._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/chapters