The Merry Wives of Windsor · Chapter
Scene V explained
The final scene of the play brings all plots to a head.
What happens
The final scene of the play brings all plots to a head. Falstaff is publicly humiliated by the fairies at Herne's Oak, and the three marriage schemes for Anne Page are resolved: Slender and Doctor Caius each discover they have married a boy in disguise, while Fenton successfully elopes with Anne. The characters reconcile, Ford abandons his jealousy, and Falstaff accepts his comeuppance.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
The fairies are revealed to be townspeople in disguise; Slender and Caius are deceived by boys in women's apparel; Anne's elopement is a successful deception of her parents.
Lust and Its Consequences
Falstaff's lust leads to his public humiliation and physical punishment by the fairies; the song explicitly condemns 'lust and luxury'.
Characters to notice
- Sir John Falstaff
Publicly humiliated by the fairies at Herne's Oak; admits he was made an ass and acknowledges his guilt.
- Mistress Ford
Participates in the final humiliation of Falstaff; forgives her husband and declares she will never take Falstaff as her love again.
- Mistress Page
Reveals she turned Anne into green to marry Doctor Caius; later accepts Fenton as her son-in-law.
- Master Ford
Renounces his jealousy; forgives Falstaff and declares he will never mistrust his wife again.
- Master Fenton
Successfully elopes with Anne Page; defends their marriage as holy and based on true love.
Key passages
“I do begin to perceive that I am made an ass.”
I am starting to realize that I have been made a fool.
Falstaff acknowledges his humiliation after the fairy prank.
“In love, the heavens themselves do guide the state: Money buys lands, and wives are sold by fate.”
Heaven directs matters of love; land is bought with money, but marriages are determined by destiny.
Ford comments on the outcome of the marriage plots, suggesting fate over parental control.
“Fie on sinful fantasy! Fie on lust and luxury! Lust is but a bloody fire, Kindled with unchaste desire...”
Shame on sinful imagination! Shame on lust and lechery! Lust is like a bloody fire, ignited by impure desire...
The fairies' song condemns Falstaff's lust and serves as a moral lesson.