# Scene IV explained — The Merry Wives of Windsor

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

## What happens

In Windsor Park, the fairies assemble under the direction of Sir Hugh Evans, who is disguised as a satyr. Pistol appears as Puck, Mistress Quickly as the Fairy Queen, and Anne Page, William, and others are dressed in various colors. Evans instructs them to remember their parts and follow him into the pit, awaiting his signal.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

Multiple characters adopt fantastical disguises (satyr, Puck, Fairy Queen) to participate in the plot against Falstaff.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The fairies are not supernatural beings but townspeople in costume, highlighting the gap between appearance and truth.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Hugh Evans

Disguised as a satyr in frieze and horns, leading the fairies and giving instructions.

### Pistol

Attired as Puck, participating in the fairy procession.

### Mistress Quickly

Dressed in white as the Fairy Queen, part of the masquerade.

### Anne Page

Present among the fairies, wearing red, black, grey, green, and white.

### William Page

Appears with Anne Page and many others in the fairy procession.

## Key lines

> Trib, trib, fairies; come; and remember your parts.

Hurry, hurry, fairies; come along and remember your roles.

_Evans calls the fairies to action and reminds them of their assigned parts in the scheme._

> Be pold, I pray you; follow me into the pit; and when I give the watch-ords, do as I pid you.

Be bold, I pray you; follow me into the pit; and when I give the watchwords, do as I bid you.

_Evans encourages the fairies to be confident, instructs them to follow him into the concealed area, and to act upon his signal._

## Links

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