The Merry Wives of Windsor, first written around 1597, has a strange origin. According to historical accounts, Elizabeth I enjoyed the character of Sir John Falstaff in the Henry IV plays so much that she wanted to see him onstage again. Rather than write more about royalty, Shakespeare created a “comedy of manners”-style farce for the companion of King Henry IV and Prince Hal. Using Falstaff’s boozing and cheating character traits as inspiration, the knight wreaks havoc on the town of Windsor. He poaches deer, runs up a tab at the local inn, and encourages his followers to cheat and steal
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The Merry Wives of Windsor guide sections
