60 pages • 2 hours read
The Merry Wives of Windsor
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Act IVChapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of gender discrimination and graphic violence.
Act IV, Scene 1 Summary
While taking her son, William, to school, Mistress Page asks Mistress Quickly about Falstaff’s latest visit to Mistress Ford, and Mistress Quickly reports that he is likely already there and still fuming about being dumped in the Thames. Sir Hugh Evans, serving as schoolmaster, enters, stating that school is canceled for the day, but Mistress Page asks him to test William’s Latin since Page thinks the boy is falling behind. Sir Hugh drills William on basic grammar while Mistress Quickly repeatedly misunderstands and interrupts with comic asides. Sir Hugh scolds her. Though the boy stumbles, Sir Hugh pronounces him capable and sends him off to play. Mistress Page, reassured, departs with Quickly and William to see Mistress Ford.
Act IV, Scene 2 Summary
Falstaff arrives at the Ford house and tries again to seduce Mistress Ford with words. Mistress Page calls from outside, so Mistress Ford hustles Falstaff into another room and then lets her friend in. Mistress Page reports that Ford is again in a jealous frenzy, convinced Falstaff is back in the house, and is bringing others to conduct another search. She says the men are only moments away. Mistress Ford panics, explaining that Falstaff is on the premises.
