# Scene II explained — The Merry Wives of Windsor

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

## What happens

Falstaff visits Mistress Ford, but their rendezvous is interrupted by Mistress Page's warning that Master Ford is on his way, suspecting Falstaff's presence. To avoid discovery, Falstaff is disguised in the gown of the fat woman of Brainford and beaten out of the house by the jealous Ford, who mistakes him for a witch. The wives then plot further revenge and consider revealing their trick to their husbands.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

Falstaff is disguised as a woman to escape Ford's jealousy, and the wives deceive both Falstaff and Ford through their schemes.

### Jealousy and Trust

Master Ford's irrational jealousy drives the action, leading him to search the basket and beat the disguised Falstaff.

## Character check-ins

### Sir John Falstaff

Visits Mistress Ford, hides in the buck-basket, and is later disguised as the fat woman of Brainford before being beaten out by Ford.

### Mistress Ford

Hosts Falstaff, orchestrates his disguise, and directs her servants to carry the basket again to deceive her husband.

### Mistress Page

Warns Mistress Ford of Ford's approach, helps disguise Falstaff, and later suggests telling their husbands about the trick.

### Master Ford

Arrives with a search party, overturns the basket in a jealous rage, and beats Falstaff in disguise, mistaking him for a witch.

### Master Page

Accompanies Ford in his search and helps overturn the basket, but is skeptical of Ford's jealousy.

## Key lines

> Wives may be merry and yet honest too. We do not act that often jest and laugh; ’Tis old but true: “Still swine eats all the draff.”

Women can enjoy themselves and still be faithful; just because we joke and laugh doesn't mean we are unfaithful. The old saying is true: the quiet pig eats all the scraps.

_Mistress Page asserts that women can be both merry and virtuous, justifying their playful revenge._

> If I cry out thus upon no trail, never trust me when I open again.

If I raise an alarm and find nothing, you can never believe me again when I speak.

_Ford vows to prove his jealousy is justified or else lose all credibility._

## Links

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