# Scene II explained — The Merry Wives of Windsor

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

## What happens

Mistress Page meets Robin on the street and they discuss his new role as a leader. Ford encounters them and grows suspicious of his wife's fidelity, believing she is plotting with Falstaff. He resolves to search his home for Falstaff. Meanwhile, Page, Shallow, Slender, Host, Evans, Caius, and Rugby arrive. Shallow and Slender excuse themselves to dine with Anne Page, revealing the ongoing marriage plots. Ford invites the others to his home, promising to show them a 'monster'—his plan to catch Falstaff.

## Themes in this chapter

### Jealousy and Trust

Ford's soliloquy reveals his intense jealousy and suspicion of his wife, Mistress Ford, and Mistress Page, leading him to plan a search for Falstaff.

### Marriage and Courtship

The subplot of Anne Page's suitors is advanced: Shallow and Slender pursue her with Page's approval, while Caius and Fenton are also in contention.

### Deception and Disguise

Ford's plan to 'show a monster' hints at his intent to expose Falstaff's deception, while the characters' hidden motives drive the plot.

## Character check-ins

### Mistress Page

Meets Robin and Ford on the street; goes to visit Mistress Ford.

### Robin

Accompanies Mistress Page; prefers leading her to following Falstaff.

### Master Ford

Grows jealous and suspicious of his wife; plans to search his home for Falstaff.

### Master Page

Supports Slender as a suitor for Anne; opposes Fenton.

### Justice Shallow

Excuses himself from Ford's dinner to pursue the match between Slender and Anne Page.

### Master Slender

Hopes to win Anne Page's hand; declines Ford's invitation.

## Key lines

> I had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man than follow him like a dwarf.

I would rather lead you like a man than follow him like a dwarf.

_Robin expresses his preference for leading Mistress Page over following Falstaff._

> I think, if your husbands were dead, you two would marry.

I think if your husbands were dead, you two would marry each other.

_Ford jokingly suggests that Mistress Page and his wife would marry if widowed, revealing his suspicion._

> Well; I will take him, then torture my wife, pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming Mistress Page, divulge Page himself for a secure and wilful Actaeon; and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim.

I will catch Falstaff, then torment my wife, expose Mistress Page's false modesty, reveal Page as a trusting Actaeon, and have my neighbors approve my actions.

_Ford outlines his plan to publicly shame the supposed adulterers._

## Links

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