The Merry Wives of Windsor · Chapter
Scene II explained
Page, Shallow, and Slender prepare to hide in the castle ditch to observe the fairy revels.
What happens
Page, Shallow, and Slender prepare to hide in the castle ditch to observe the fairy revels. Slender reveals a prearranged signal with Anne Page—he will wear white and say 'mum,' to which she will reply 'budget.' Page expresses hope that the night's sport will expose the devil, whom they will recognize by his horns.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
The characters hide in the ditch and use secret signals to identify each other, highlighting the theme of deception.
Appearance vs. Reality
Page's remark that 'no man means evil but the devil, and we shall know him by his horns' underscores the contrast between outward appearance and true intent.
Characters to notice
- Master Page
Leads the group to hide in the castle ditch and reminds Slender of his daughter.
- Justice Shallow
Accompanies Page and Slender, commenting on the signal and the time.
- Master Slender
Reveals the secret code with Anne Page: he will wear white and say 'mum,' she will reply 'budget.'
Key passages
“I come to her in white and cry 'mum'; she cries 'budget,' and by that we know one another.”
I will approach her dressed in white and say 'mum'; she will answer 'budget,' and that is how we will recognize each other.
Slender explains the secret code he and Anne have arranged to identify each other during the fairy revels.
“No man means evil but the devil, and we shall know him by his horns.”
Only the devil intends harm, and we will recognize him because he has horns.
Page expresses confidence that the night's scheme will reveal the true villain, using the devil's horns as a symbol of evil.