# Scene III explained — The Merry Wives of Windsor

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

## What happens

At the Garter Inn, Bardolph informs the Host that some Germans wish to hire three horses to meet a Duke arriving at court. The Host, suspicious of the secretive Duke and eager to recoup his losses from housing the Germans for a week, agrees to provide the horses but intends to overcharge them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

The Host's suspicion of the Germans' secretive Duke hints at potential deception or hidden motives.

## Character check-ins

### Host of the Garter

The Host is suspicious of the Germans' request and plans to overcharge them for the horses.

### Bardolph

Bardolph delivers the Germans' request for horses to the Host.

## Key lines

> Sir, the Germans desire to have three of your horses; the Duke himself will be tomorrow at court, and they are going to meet him.

Bardolph tells the Host that some German gentlemen want to borrow three horses because a Duke is arriving at court tomorrow and they need to go meet him.

_Bardolph relays the Germans' request to the Host._

> They shall have my horses, but I'll make them pay; I'll sauce them; they have had my house a week at command; I have turned away my other guests.

The Host agrees to lend the horses but intends to charge them heavily, as they have been staying at his inn for a week without paying and he has lost business from other customers.

_The Host expresses his determination to profit from the Germans._

## Links

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