# Scene I explained — The Merry Wives of Windsor

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

## What happens

Mistress Page, Mistress Quickly, and William meet Sir Hugh Evans, who quizzes William on his Latin grammar. Mistress Quickly's comedic interjections disrupt the lesson, and after the examination, Mistress Page and Quickly depart to visit Mistress Ford.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Mistress Quickly's apparent understanding of Latin contrasts with her actual ignorance, creating comic misunderstandings.

### Community and Friendship

The interaction between Mistress Page, Mistress Quickly, and Sir Hugh Evans demonstrates the close-knit community of Windsor.

## Character check-ins

### Mistress Page

Arranges for her son William to be examined by Sir Hugh Evans and then leaves to visit Mistress Ford.

### Mistress Quickly

Brings a message from Mistress Ford and provides humorous interruptions during William's Latin lesson.

### William Page

Mistress Page's son, who is tested on his Latin grammar by Sir Hugh Evans.

### Sir Hugh Evans

The schoolmaster who examines William on his Latin declensions and pronouns.

## Key lines

> Mistress Ford desires you to come suddenly.

Mistress Ford wants you to come quickly.

_Mistress Quickly relays an urgent invitation from Mistress Ford._

> He is a good sprag memory.

He has a good, lively memory.

_Sir Hugh Evans praises William's memory after the Latin lesson._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i
- 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