Shallow is a man who reminds everyone of his rank because he secretly fears it doesn't matter. Watch for his compulsive self-citation ('Robert Shallow, esquire, saith...') and his habit of repeating phrases as if volume confers authority.
Sir Hugh, persuade me not. I will make a Star Chamber matter of it. If
he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow,
esquire.
He has humiliated me—Robert Shallow, Esquire. This is intolerable. I'm taking it to the Star Chamber.
He made me look bad. That's not happening. I'm taking this all the way to court.
hes humiliated me
im robert shallow esquire
this goes to the top court
Slender speaks in non sequiturs and deflections — always changing the subject when he's cornered, always finding a tangent when directness is required. Watch for how he never quite answers a direct question.
In the county of Gloucester, Justice of Peace and Coram.
In the county of Gloucester, Justice of Peace and Coram.
in the county of gloucester, justice of peace and coram. or something?
in the county of gloucester, justice of
Ay, cousin Slender, and Custalorum.
Yes, cousin Slender, and Custalorum.
yes, cousin slender, and custalorum.
yes, cousin slender, and custalorum.
Ay, and Ratolorum too; and a gentleman born, Master Parson, who writes
himself “Armigero” in any bill, warrant, quittance, or
obligation—“Armigero.”
Yes, and Ratolorum too; and a gentleman born, Master Parson, who writes himself “Armigero” in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation—“Armigero.”
yes, and ratolorum too; and a gentleman born, master parson, who writes himself “armigero” in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation—“armigero.” or something?
yes, and ratolorum too; and a gentleman
Ay, that I do, and have done any time these three hundred years.
Yes, that I do, and have done any time these three hundred years.
yes, that i do, and have done any time these three hundred years.
yes, that i do, and have done any time these three
All his successors, gone before him hath done’t; and all his ancestors
that come after him may. They may give the dozen white luces in their
coat.
All his successors, gone before him has done’t; and all his ancestors that come after him may. They may give the dozen white luces in their coat.
all his successors, gone before him has done’t; and all his ancestors that come after him may. they may give the dozen white luces in their coat. or something?
all his successors, gone before him has
It is an old coat.
My family has borne arms for three hundred years—we are gentlemen of standing.
My family's had their coat of arms for three hundred years. We're real gentlemen.
three hundred years
real gentlemen
not to be messed with
Evans is a Welsh parson whose b's and p's swap constantly ('petter' for 'better', 'Got' for 'God'), and who mangles Latinate words with cheerful confidence. Watch for moments where his malapropisms accidentally say something wiser than he intended.
The dozen white louses do become an old coat well. It agrees well,
passant. It is a familiar beast to man, and signifies love.
The dozen white louses do become an old coat well. It agrees well, passant. It is a familiar beast to man, and signifies love.
the dozen white louses do become an old coat well. it agrees well, passant. it is a familiar beast to man, and signifies love.
the dozen white louses do become an old coat well.
The luce is the fresh fish. The salt fish is an old coat.
My family has borne arms for three hundred years—we are gentlemen of standing.
My family's had their coat of arms for three hundred years. We're real gentlemen.
three hundred years
real gentlemen
not to be messed with
I may quarter, coz.
I may quarter, coz.
i may quarter, coz. or something?
i may quarter, coz.
You may, by marrying.
You may, by welling.
you may, by welling.
you may, by welling.
It is marring indeed, if he quarter it.
It is marring indeed, if he quarter it.
it is marring indeed, if he quarter it.
it is marring indeed, if he quarter it.
Not a whit.
Not a whit.
not a whit.
not a whit.
Yes, py’r Lady. If he has a quarter of your coat, there is but three
skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures. But that is all one. If
Sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the
Church, and will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and
compremises between you.
Yes, py’r Lady. If he has a quarter of your coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures. But that is all one. If Sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the Church, and will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and compremises between you.
yes, py’r lady. if he has a quarter of your coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures. but that is all one. if sir john falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, i am of the church, and will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and compremises between you.
yes, py’r lady. if he has a quarter of your coat,
The Council shall hear it; it is a riot.
The Council will hear it; it is a riot.
the council will hear it; it is a riot.
the council will hear it; it is a riot.
It is not meet the Council hear a riot. There is no fear of Got in a
riot. The Council, look you, shall desire to hear the fear of Got, and
not to hear a riot. Take your vizaments in that.
It is not meet the Council hear a riot. There is no fear of Got in a riot. The Council, look you, will desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot. Take your vizaments in that.
it is not meet the council hear a riot. there is no fear of got in a riot. the council, look you, will desire to hear the fear of got, and not to hear a riot. take your vizaments in that.
it is not meet the council hear a riot. there is n
Ha! O’ my life, if I were young again, the sword should end it.
Ha! O’ my life, if I were young again, the sword should end it.
ha! o’ my life, if i were young again, the sword should end it.
ha! o’ my life, if i were young again, the sword s
It is petter that friends is the sword, and end it; and there is also
another device in my prain, which peradventure prings goot discretions
with it. There is Anne Page, which is daughter to Master George Page,
which is pretty virginity.
It is better that friends is the sword, and end it; and there is also another device in my prain, which peradventure prings goot discretions with it. There is Anne Page, which is daughter to Master George Page, which is pretty virginity.
it is better that friends is the sword, and end it; and there is also another device in my prain, which peradventure prings goot discretions with it. there is anne page, which is daughter to master george page, which is pretty virginity.
it is better that friends is the sword, and end it
Mistress Anne Page? She has brown hair, and speaks small like a woman?
So, um... is she... does she seem like a good person?
So like, is she cool? I guess we could... you know?
does she seem nice
i guess we could get married
idk
It is that fery person for all the ’orld, as just as you will desire,
and seven hundred pounds of moneys, and gold, and silver, is her
grandsire upon his death’s-bed—Got deliver to a joyful
resurrections!—give, when she is able to overtake seventeen years old.
It were a goot motion if we leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire
a marriage between Master Abraham and Mistress Anne Page.
It is that fery person for all the ’orld, as just as you will desire, and seven hundred pounds of moneys, and gold, and silver, is her grandsire upon his death’s-bed—Got deliver to a joyful resurrections!—give, when she is able to overtake seventeen years old. It were a goot motion if we leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire a marriage between Master Abraham and Mistress Anne Page.
it is that fery person for all the ’orld, as just as you will desire, and seven hundred pounds of moneys, and gold, and silver, is her grandsire upon his death’s-bed—got deliver to a joyful resurrections!—give, when she is able to overtake seventeen years old. it were a goot motion if we leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire a marriage between master abraham and mistress anne page.
it is that fery person for all the ’orld, as just
Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound?
Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound?
did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound?
did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound?
Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny.
Yes, and her father is make her a better penny.
yes, and her father is make her a better penny.
yes, and her father is make her a better penny.
I know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts.
I know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts.
i know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts.
i know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts.
Seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, is goot gifts.
Seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, is goot gifts.
seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, is goot gifts.
seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, is goot g
Well, let us see honest Master Page. Is Falstaff there?
He has humiliated me—Robert Shallow, Esquire. This is intolerable. I'm taking it to the Star Chamber.
He made me look bad. That's not happening. I'm taking this all the way to court.
hes humiliated me
im robert shallow esquire
this goes to the top court
Shall I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar as I do despise one that is
false, or as I despise one that is not true. The knight Sir John is
there, and I beseech you be ruled by your well-willers. I will peat the
door for Master Page.
will I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar as I do despise one that is false, or as I despise one that is not true. The knight Sir John is there, and I beseech you be ruled by your well-willers. I will peat the door for Master Page.
will i tell you a lie? i do despise a liar as i do despise one that is false, or as i despise one that is not true. the knight sir john is there, and i beseech you be ruled by your well-willers. i will peat the door for master page.
will i tell you a lie? i do despise a liar as i do
Here is Got’s plessing, and your friend, and Justice Shallow, and here
young Master Slender, that peradventures shall tell you another tale,
if matters grow to your likings.
Here is Got’s plessing, and your friend, and Justice Shallow, and here young Master Slender, that peradventures will tell you another tale, if matters grow to your likings.
here is got’s plessing, and your friend, and justice shallow, and here young master slender, that peradventures will tell you another tale, if matters grow to your likings.
here is got’s plessing, and your friend, and justi
Page is the reasonable man of Windsor — cordial, practical, the one who keeps pointing everyone toward dinner. His reasonableness will make his wife's schemes all the more satisfying.
I am glad to see your worships well. I thank you for my venison, Master
Shallow.
I am glad to see your worships well. I thank you for my venison, Master Shallow.
i am glad to see your worships well. i thank you for my venison, master shallow.
i am glad to see your worships well. i thank you f
Master Page, I am glad to see you, much good do it your good heart! I
wished your venison better; it was ill killed. How doth good Mistress
Page? And I thank you always with my heart, la, with my heart.
Master Page, I am glad to see you, much good do it your good heart! I wished your venison better; it was ill killed. How does good Mistress Page? And I thank you always with my heart, la, with my heart.
master page, i am glad to see you, much good do it your good heart! i wished your venison better; it was ill killed. how does good mistress page? and i thank you always with my heart, la, with my heart.
master page, i am glad to see you, much good do it
Sir, I thank you.
Sir, I thank you.
sir, i thank you.
sir, i thank you.
Sir, I thank you; by yea and no, I do.
Sir, I thank you; by yea and no, I do.
sir, i thank you; by yea and no, i do.
sir, i thank you; by yea and no, i do.
I am glad to see you, good Master Slender.
I am glad to see you, good Master Slender.
i am glad to see you, good master slender.
i am glad to see you, good master slender.
How does your fallow greyhound, sir? I heard say he was outrun on
Cotsall.
How does your fallow greyhound, sir? I heard say he was outrun on Cotsall.
how does your fallow greyhound, sir? i heard say he was outrun on cotsall. or something?
how does your fallow greyhound, sir? i h
It could not be judged, sir.
It could not be judged, sir.
it could not be judged, sir.
it could not be judged, sir.
You’ll not confess, you’ll not confess.
You’ll not confess, you’ll not confess.
you’ll not confess, you’ll not confess. or something?
you’ll not confess, you’ll not confess.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is unique in Shakespeare's work: it is the only comedy set entirely among the English middle class, in a specific English town, in recognizable contemporary London-area reality. The court is mentioned but never seen. The aristocracy appears only in Falstaff — and Falstaff is here precisely because he's run out of money and credit at court. Windsor was also the seat of the Order of the Garter, England's highest chivalric honour, which adds an irony: a play about a fat knight's humiliation is set in the town of England's most prestigious knightly order. The opening scene establishes Windsor as a place of law, property, family, and domestic order — everything Falstaff is about to try to disrupt.
That he will not. ’Tis your fault; ’tis your fault. ’Tis a good dog.
That he will not. ’Tis your fault; ’tis your fault. ’Tis a good dog.
that he will not. ’tis your fault; ’tis your fault. ’tis a good dog.
that he will not. ’tis your fault; ’tis your fault
A cur, sir.
A cur, sir.
a cur, sir.
a cur, sir.
Sir, he’s a good dog, and a fair dog, can there be more said? He is
good, and fair. Is Sir John Falstaff here?
He has humiliated me—Robert Shallow, Esquire. This is intolerable. I'm taking it to the Star Chamber.
He made me look bad. That's not happening. I'm taking this all the way to court.
hes humiliated me
im robert shallow esquire
this goes to the top court
Sir, he is within; and I would I could do a good office between you.
Sir, he is within; and I would I could do a good office between you.
sir, he is within; and i would i could do a good office between you.
sir, he is within; and i would i could do a good o
It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak.
It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak.
it is spoke as a christians ought to speak.
it is spoke as a christians ought to speak.
He hath wronged me, Master Page.
He has wronged me, Master Page.
he has wronged me, master page.
he has wronged me, master page.
Sir, he doth in some sort confess it.
Sir, he does in some sort confess it.
sir, he does in some sort confess it.
sir, he does in some sort confess it.
If it be confessed, it is not redressed. Is not that so, Master Page?
He hath wronged me, indeed he hath, at a word, he hath. Believe me.
Robert Shallow, esquire, saith he is wronged.
If it be confessed, it is not redressed. Is not that so, Master Page? He has wronged me, indeed he has, at a word, he has. Believe me. Robert Shallow, esquire, saith he is wronged.
if it be confessed, it is not redressed. is not that so, master page? he has wronged me, indeed he has, at a word, he has. believe me. robert shallow, esquire, saith he is wronged.
if it be confessed, it is not redressed. is not th
Here comes Sir John.
Here comes Sir John.
here comes sir john.
here comes sir john.
Falstaff's weapon is cheerful brazenness: he admits everything and makes the admission itself into a joke, wrong-footing anyone who came expecting remorse. Watch for how he turns accusations into punchlines.
Now, Master Shallow, you’ll complain of me to the King?
Now, Master Shallow, you’ll complain of me to the King?
now, master shallow, you’ll complain of me to the king?
now, master shallow, you’ll complain of me to the
Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my deer, and broke open my
lodge.
My family has borne arms for three hundred years—we are gentlemen of standing.
My family's had their coat of arms for three hundred years. We're real gentlemen.
three hundred years
real gentlemen
not to be messed with
But not kissed your keeper’s daughter!
But not kissed your keeper’s daughter!
but not kissed your keeper’s daughter!
but not kissed your keeper’s daughter!
Tut, a pin! This shall be answered.
Tut, a pin! This will be answered.
tut, a pin! this will be answered.
tut, a pin! this will be answered.
I will answer it straight: I have done all this. That is now answered.
I will answer it straight: I have done all this. That is now answered.
i will answer it straight: i have done all this. that is now answered.
i will answer it straight: i have done all this. t
The Council shall know this.
The Council will know this.
the council will know this.
the council will know this.
’Twere better for you if it were known in counsel: you’ll be laughed
at.
A man who laughs at his own jokes is welcome in any company.
A guy who can laugh at himself is good company.
laughing at yourself
thats what matters
_Pauca verba_, Sir John; goot worts.
_Pauca verba_, Sir John; goot worts.
_pauca verba_, sir john; goot worts.
_pauca verba_, sir john; goot worts.
Good worts? Good cabbage!—Slender, I broke your head. What matter have
you against me?
Good worts? Good cabbage!—Slender, I broke your head. What matter have you against me?
good worts? good cabbage!—slender, i broke your head. what matter have you against me?
good worts? good cabbage!—slender, i broke your he
Marry, sir, I have matter in my head against you, and against your
cony-catching rascals, Bardolph, Nym, and Pistol. They carried me to
the tavern and made me drunk, and afterwards picked my pocket.
Well, sir, I have matter in my head against you, and against your cony-catching rascals, Bardolph, Nym, and Pistol. They carried me to the tavern and made me drunk, and afterwards picked my pocket.
well, sir, i have matter in my head against you, and against your cony-catching rascals, bardolph, nym, and pistol. they carried me to the tavern and made me drunk, and afterwards picked my pocket. or something?
well, sir, i have matter in my head agai
You Banbury cheese!
You Banbury cheese!
you banbury cheese!
you banbury cheese!
Ay, it is no matter.
Yes, it is no matter.
yes, it is no matter. or something?
yes, it is no matter.
Pistol speaks in fragments of bombastic verse, all theatrical swagger and zero follow-through. He sounds like a man who learned English from bad plays. Watch for how his rhetoric is always disproportionate to the situation.
How now, Mephostophilus?
How now, Mephostophilus?
how now, mephostophilus?
how now, mephostophilus?
Ay, it is no matter.
Yes, it is no matter.
yes, it is no matter. or something?
yes, it is no matter.
Nym's verbal tic is the word 'humour' — he attaches it to everything as a substitute for actual thought. Watch for how the word does no work but makes him sound like he has a philosophy.
Slice, I say! _Pauca, pauca_, slice, that’s my humour.
Slice, I say! _Pauca, pauca_, slice, that’s my sense.
slice, i say! _pauca, pauca_, slice, that’s my sense.
slice, i say! _pauca, pauca_, slice, that’s my sen
Where’s Simple, my man? Can you tell, cousin?
Where’s Simple, my man? Can you tell, cousin?
where’s simple, my man? can you tell, cousin? or something?
where’s simple, my man? can you tell, co
Peace, I pray you. Now let us understand; there is three umpires in
this matter, as I understand: that is, Master Page, _fidelicet_ Master
Page; and there is myself, _fidelicet_ myself; and the three party is,
lastly and finally, mine host of the Garter.
Peace, I pray you. Now let us understand; there is three umpires in this matter, as I understand: that is, Master Page, _fidelicet_ Master Page; and there is myself, _fidelicet_ myself; and the three party is, lastly and finally, mine host of the Garter.
peace, i pray you. now let us understand; there is three umpires in this matter, as i understand: that is, master page, _fidelicet_ master page; and there is myself, _fidelicet_ myself; and the three party is, lastly and finally, mine host of the garter.
peace, i pray you. now let us understand; there is
We three to hear it and end it between them.
We three to hear it and end it between them.
we three to hear it and end it between them.
we three to hear it and end it between them.
Fery goot. I will make a prief of it in my notebook, and we will
afterwards ’ork upon the cause with as great discreetly as we can.
Fery goot. I will make a prief of it in my notebook, and we will afterwards ’ork upon the cause with as great discreetly as we can.
fery goot. i will make a prief of it in my notebook, and we will afterwards ’ork upon the cause with as great discreetly as we can.
fery goot. i will make a prief of it in my noteboo
Pistol!
Pistol!
pistol!
pistol!
He hears with ears.
He hears with ears.
he hears with ears.
he hears with ears.
The tevil and his tam! What phrase is this, “He hears with ear”? Why,
it is affectations.
The tevil and his tam! What phrase is this, “He hears with ear”? Why, it is affectations.
the tevil and his tam! what phrase is this, “he hears with ear”? why, it is affectations.
the tevil and his tam! what phrase is this, “he he
Pistol, did you pick Master Slender’s purse?
Pistol, did you pick Master Slender’s purse?
pistol, did you pick master slender’s purse?
pistol, did you pick master slender’s purse?
Ay, by these gloves, did he, or I would I might never come in mine own
great chamber again else! Of seven groats in mill-sixpences, and two
Edward shovel-boards that cost me two shilling and two pence a-piece of
Yed Miller, by these gloves.
Yes, by these gloves, did he, or I would I might never come in mine own great chamber again else! Of seven groats in mill-sixpences, and two Edward shovel-boards that cost me two shilling and two pence a-piece of Yed Miller, by these gloves.
yes, by these gloves, did he, or i would i might never come in mine own great chamber again else! of seven groats in mill-sixpences, and two edward shovel-boards that cost me two shilling and two pence a-piece of yed miller, by these gloves. or something?
yes, by these gloves, did he, or i would
Is this true, Pistol?
Is this true, Pistol?
is this true, pistol?
is this true, pistol?
No, it is false, if it is a pick-purse.
No, it is false, if it is a pick-purse.
no, it is false, if it is a pick-purse.
no, it is false, if it is a pick-purse.
Ha, thou mountain-foreigner!—Sir John and master mine,
I combat challenge of this latten bilbo.—
Word of denial in thy _labras_ here!
Word of denial! Froth and scum, thou liest.
Ha, you mountain-foreigner!—Sir John and master mine, I combat challenge of this latten bilbo.— Word of denial in your _labras_ here! Word of denial! Froth and scum, you liest.
ha, you mountain-foreigner!—sir john and master mine, i combat challenge of this latten bilbo.— word of denial in your _labras_ here! word of denial! froth and scum, you liest.
ha, you mountain-foreigner!—sir john and master m
Be avised, sir, and pass good humours. I will say “marry trap with
you”, if you run the nuthook’s humour on me. That is the very note of
it.
Be avised, sir, and pass good senses. I will say “Well trap with you”, if you run the nuthook’s sense on me. That is the very note of it.
be avised, sir, and pass good senses. i will say “well trap with you”, if you run the nuthook’s sense on me. that is the very note of it.
be avised, sir, and pass good senses. i will say “
By this hat, then, he in the red face had it. For though I cannot
remember what I did when you made me drunk, yet I am not altogether an
ass.
By this hat, then, he in the red face had it. For though I cannot remember what I did when you made me drunk, yet I am not altogether an ass.
by this hat, then, he in the red face had it. for though i cannot remember what i did when you made me drunk, yet i am not altogether an ass. or something?
by this hat, then, he in the red face ha
The first 50 lines of Merry Wives are almost entirely about credentials: JP, Quorum, Custos Rotulorum, Armigero, coat of arms. Shallow and Slender are obsessed with their rank because it is their only interesting quality. Shakespeare, who was himself in the process of applying for a coat of arms for his father at roughly this time, was writing from the inside of this social anxiety. The joke is that all these credentials mean nothing to Falstaff — he's socially superior to everyone in Windsor by virtue of his knighthood, and he still ends up dunked in a laundry basket.
What say you, Scarlet and John?
What say you, Scarlet and John?
what say you, scarlet and john?
what say you, scarlet and john?
Why, sir, for my part, I say the gentleman had drunk himself out of his
five sentences.
Why, sir, for my part, I say the gentleman had drunk himself out of his five sentences.
why, sir, for my part, i say the gentleman had drunk himself out of his five sentences.
why, sir, for my part, i say the gentleman had dru
It is his “five senses”. Fie, what the ignorance is!
It is his “five senses”. Fie, what the ignorance is!
it is his “five senses”. fie, what the ignorance is!
it is his “five senses”. fie, what the ignorance i
And being fap, sir, was, as they say, cashiered; and so conclusions
passed the careers.
And being fap, sir, was, as they say, cashiered; and so conclusions passed the careers.
and being fap, sir, was, as they say, cashiered; and so conclusions passed the careers.
and being fap, sir, was, as they say, cashiered; a
Ay, you spake in Latin then too; but ’tis no matter. I’ll ne’er be
drunk whilst I live again, but in honest, civil, godly company, for
this trick. If I be drunk, I’ll be drunk with those that have the fear
of God, and not with drunken knaves.
Yes, you spake in Latin then too; but ’tis no matter. I’ll ne’er be drunk whilst I live again, but in honest, civil, godly company, for this trick. If I be drunk, I’ll be drunk with those that have the fear of God, and not with drunken knaves.
yes, you spake in latin then too; but ’tis no matter. i’ll ne’er be drunk whilst i live again, but in honest, civil, godly company, for this trick. if i be drunk, i’ll be drunk with those that have the fear of god, and not with drunken knaves. or something?
yes, you spake in latin then too; but ’t
So Got ’udge me, that is a virtuous mind.
So Got ’udge me, that is a virtuous mind.
so got ’udge me, that is a virtuous mind.
so got ’udge me, that is a virtuous mind.
You hear all these matters denied, gentlemen; you hear it.
You hear all these matters denied, gentlemen; you hear it.
you hear all these matters denied, gentlemen; you hear it.
you hear all these matters denied, gentlemen; you
How now, Mistress Ford?
How now, Mistress Ford?
how now, mistress ford?
how now, mistress ford?
Mistress Ford, by my troth, you are very well met. By your leave, good
mistress.
I see a lovely woman and I cannot help but notice.
I see a pretty woman, I'm gonna say something nice.
shes beautiful
im just noticing
Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. Come, we have a hot venison pasty to
dinner. Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.
Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. Come, we have a hot venison pasty to dinner. Come, gentlemen, I hope we will drink down all unkindness.
wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. come, we have a hot venison pasty to dinner. come, gentlemen, i hope we will drink down all unkindness.
wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. come, we have a
I had rather than forty shillings I had my book of _Songs and Sonnets_
here.
I had rather than forty shillings I had my book of _Songs and Sonnets_ here.
i had rather than forty shillings i had my book of _songs and sonnets_ here. or something?
i had rather than forty shillings i had
_Book of Riddles?_ Why, did you not lend it to Alice Shortcake upon
Allhallowmas last, a fortnight afore Michaelmas?
_Book of Riddles?_ Why, did you not lend it to Alice Shortcake upon Allhallowmas last, a fortnight afore Michaelmas?
_book of riddles?_ why, did you not lend it to alice shortcake upon allhallowmas last, a fortnight afore michaelmas?
_book of riddles?_ why, did you not lend it to ali
Come, coz; come, coz, we stay for you. A word with you, coz. Marry,
this, coz: there is, as ’twere, a tender, a kind of tender, made afar
off by Sir Hugh here. Do you understand me?
Come, coz; come, coz, we stay for you. A word with you, coz. Well, this, coz: there is, as ’twere, a tender, a kind of tender, made afar off by Sir Hugh here. Do you understand me?
come, coz; come, coz, we stay for you. a word with you, coz. well, this, coz: there is, as ’twere, a tender, a kind of tender, made afar off by sir hugh here. do you understand me?
come, coz; come, coz, we stay for you. a word with
Ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable. If it be so, I shall do that
that is reason.
Yes, sir, you will find me reasonable. If it be so, I will do that that is reason.
yes, sir, you will find me reasonable. if it be so, i will do that that is reason. or something?
yes, sir, you will find me reasonable. i
Nay, but understand me.
No, but understand me.
no, but understand me.
no, but understand me.
So I do, sir.
So I do, sir.
so i do, sir. or something?
so i do, sir.
Give ear to his motions, Master Slender. I will description the matter
to you, if you be capacity of it.
Give ear to his motions, Master Slender. I will description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it.
give ear to his motions, master slender. i will description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it.
give ear to his motions, master slender. i will de
Nay, I will do as my cousin Shallow says. I pray you pardon me, he’s a
Justice of Peace in his country, simple though I stand here.
No, I will do as my cousin Shallow says. I pray you pardon me, he’s a Justice of Peace in his country, simple though I stand here.
no, i will do as my cousin shallow says. i pray you pardon me, he’s a justice of peace in his country, simple though i stand here. or something?
no, i will do as my cousin shallow says.
But that is not the question. The question is concerning your marriage.
But that is not the question. The question is concerning your marriage.
but that is not the question. the question is concerning your marriage.
but that is not the question. the question is conc
Ay, there’s the point, sir.
Yes, there’s the point, sir.
yes, there’s the point, sir.
yes, there’s the point, sir.
Marry, is it; the very point of it—to Mistress Anne Page.
Well, is it; the very point of it—to Mistress Anne Page.
well, is it; the very point of it—to mistress anne page.
well, is it; the very point of it—to mistress anne
Why, if it be so, I will marry her upon any reasonable demands.
So, um... is she... does she seem like a good person?
So like, is she cool? I guess we could... you know?
does she seem nice
i guess we could get married
idk
But can you affection the ’oman? Let us command to know that of your
mouth, or of your lips; for divers philosophers hold that the lips is
parcel of the mouth. Therefore, precisely, can you carry your good will
to the maid?
But can you affection the ’oman? Let us command to know that of your mouth, or of your lips; for divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth. Therefore, precisely, can you carry your good will to the maid?
but can you affection the ’oman? let us command to know that of your mouth, or of your lips; for divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth. therefore, precisely, can you carry your good will to the maid?
but can you affection the ’oman? let us command to
Cousin Abraham Slender, can you love her?
Cousin Abraham Slender, can you love her?
cousin abraham slender, can you love her?
cousin abraham slender, can you love her?
I hope, sir, I will do as it shall become one that would do reason.
I hope, sir, I will do as it will become one that would do reason.
i hope, sir, i will do as it will become one that would do reason. or something?
i hope, sir, i will do as it will become
Nay, Got’s lords and his ladies! You must speak possitable, if you can
carry her your desires towards her.
No, Got’s lords and his ladies! You must speak possitable, if you can carry her your desires towards her.
no, got’s lords and his ladies! you must speak possitable, if you can carry her your desires towards her.
no, got’s lords and his ladies! you must speak pos
That you must. Will you, upon good dowry, marry her?
That you must. Will you, upon good dowry, Well her?
that you must. will you, upon good dowry, well her?
that you must. will you, upon good dowry, well her
Anne Page is intelligent, attractive, and has three suitors by the end of the first act. Slender's wooing technique consists of: refusing to enter the house, talking about dogs, boasting about fencing injuries, and delivering a long speech about bear-baiting to the woman he's supposed to be charming. He can't say he loves her, can't say he doesn't, and keeps offering to go second through every door. The scene is a masterclass in comedy through social awkwardness — and it's worth noting that Anne's responses are models of polite patience. She manages the situation perfectly. Slender is a test she passes easily.
I will do a greater thing than that, upon your request, cousin, in any
reason.
I will do a greater thing than that, upon your request, cousin, in any reason.
i will do a greater thing than that, upon your request, cousin, in any reason. or something?
i will do a greater thing than that, upo
Nay, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz. What I do is to pleasure you,
coz. Can you love the maid?
No, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz. What I do is to pleasure you, coz. Can you love the maid?
no, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz. what i do is to pleasure you, coz. can you love the maid?
no, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz. what i do
I will marry her, sir, at your request. But if there be no great love
in the beginning, yet heaven may decrease it upon better acquaintance,
when we are married and have more occasion to know one another. I hope
upon familiarity will grow more contempt. But if you say “Marry her,” I
will marry her. That I am freely dissolved, and dissolutely.
So, um... is she... does she seem like a good person?
So like, is she cool? I guess we could... you know?
does she seem nice
i guess we could get married
idk
It is a fery discretion answer, save the fall is in the ’ord
“dissolutely.” The ’ort is, according to our meaning, “resolutely.” His
meaning is good.
It is a fery discretion answer, save the fall is in the ’ord “dissolutely.” The ’ort is, according to our meaning, “resolutely.” His meaning is good.
it is a fery discretion answer, save the fall is in the ’ord “dissolutely.” the ’ort is, according to our meaning, “resolutely.” his meaning is good.
it is a fery discretion answer, save the fall is i
Ay, I think my cousin meant well.
Yes, I think my cousin meant well.
yes, i think my cousin meant well.
yes, i think my cousin meant well.
Ay, or else I would I might be hanged, la!
Yes, or else I would I might be hanged, la!
yes, or else i would i might be hanged, la! or something?
yes, or else i would i might be hanged,
Here comes fair Mistress Anne.
Here comes fair Mistress Anne.
here comes fair mistress anne.
here comes fair mistress anne.
Here comes fair Mistress Anne.—Would I were young for your sake,
Mistress Anne.
Here comes fair Mistress Anne.—Would I were young for your sake, Mistress Anne.
here comes fair mistress anne.—would i were young for your sake, mistress anne.
here comes fair mistress anne.—would i were young
Anne speaks little but acts precisely — every line she gets is polite, firm, and trying to move the scene forward. Watch for how she never says what she thinks but always manages the situation.
The dinner is on the table, my father desires your worships’ company.
The dinner is on the table, my father desires your worships’ company.
the dinner is on the table, my father desires your worships’ company.
the dinner is on the table, my father desires your
I will wait on him, fair Mistress Anne.
I will wait on him, fair Mistress Anne.
i will wait on him, fair mistress anne.
i will wait on him, fair mistress anne.
’Od’s plessed will! I will not be absence at the grace.
’Od’s plessed will! I will not be absence at the grace.
’od’s plessed will! i will not be absence at the grace.
’od’s plessed will! i will not be absence at the g
No, I thank you, forsooth, heartily; I am very well.
No, I thank you, truly, heartily; I am very well.
no, i thank you, truly, heartily; i am very well. or something?
no, i thank you, truly, heartily; i a
The dinner attends you, sir.
The dinner attends you, sir.
the dinner attends you, sir.
the dinner attends you, sir.
I am not a-hungry, I thank you, forsooth. [_To Simple_.] Go, sirrah,
for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin Shallow.
I am not a-hungry, I thank you, truly. [_To Simple_.] Go, sir, for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin Shallow.
i am not a-hungry, i thank you, truly. [_to simple_.] go, sir, for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin shallow. or something?
i am not a-hungry, i thank you, truly
I may not go in without your worship. They will not sit till you come.
I may not go in without your worship. They will not sit till you come.
i may not go in without your worship. they will not sit till you come.
i may not go in without your worship. they will no
I’ faith, I’ll eat nothing. I thank you as much as though I did.
I’ faith, I’ll eat nothing. I thank you as much as though I did.
i’ faith, i’ll eat nothing. i thank you as much as though i did. or something?
i’ faith, i’ll eat nothing. i thank you
I pray you, sir, walk in.
I pray you, sir, walk in.
i pray you, sir, walk in.
i pray you, sir, walk in.
I had rather walk here, I thank you. I bruised my shin th’ other day
with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence—three veneys
for a dish of stewed prunes—and, by my troth, I cannot abide the smell
of hot meat since. Why do your dogs bark so? Be there bears i’ the
town?
I saw the most incredible bear-baiting last week. You should have been there.
Dude, the bear-baiting was insane. Best thing ever.
the bear thing was crazy
you shouldve seen it
amazing
I think there are, sir; I heard them talked of.
I think there are, sir; I heard them talked of.
i think there are, sir; i heard them talked of.
i think there are, sir; i heard them talked of.
I love the sport well, but I shall as soon quarrel at it as any man in
England. You are afraid, if you see the bear loose, are you not?
I saw the most incredible bear-baiting last week. You should have been there.
Dude, the bear-baiting was insane. Best thing ever.
the bear thing was crazy
you shouldve seen it
amazing
Ay, indeed, sir.
Yes, indeed, sir.
yes, indeed, sir.
yes, indeed, sir.
That’s meat and drink to me now. I have seen Sackerson loose twenty
times, and have taken him by the chain. But, I warrant you, the women
have so cried and shrieked at it that it passed. But women, indeed,
cannot abide ’em; they are very ill-favoured rough things.
That’s meat and drink to me now. I have seen Sackerson loose twenty times, and have taken him by the chain. But, I warrant you, the women have so cried and shrieked at it that it passed. But women, indeed, cannot abide ’em; they are very ill-favoured rough things.
that’s meat and drink to me now. i have seen sackerson loose twenty times, and have taken him by the chain. but, i warrant you, the women have so cried and shrieked at it that it passed. but women, indeed, cannot abide ’em; they are very ill-favoured rough things. or something?
that’s meat and drink to me now. i have
I’ll eat nothing, I thank you, sir.
I’ll eat nothing, I thank you, sir.
i’ll eat nothing, i thank you, sir. or something?
i’ll eat nothing, i thank you, sir.
By cock and pie, you shall not choose, sir! Come, come.
By cock and pie, you will not choose, sir! Come, come.
by cock and pie, you will not choose, sir! come, come.
by cock and pie, you will not choose, sir! come, c
Nay, pray you lead the way.
No, pray you lead the way.
no, pray you lead the way. or something?
no, pray you lead the way.
Come on, sir.
Come on, sir.
come on, sir.
come on, sir.
Mistress Anne, yourself shall go first.
So, um... is she... does she seem like a good person?
So like, is she cool? I guess we could... you know?
does she seem nice
i guess we could get married
idk
Not I, sir; pray you keep on.
Not I, sir; pray you keep on.
not i, sir; pray you keep on.
not i, sir; pray you keep on.
Truly, I will not go first; truly, la! I will not do you that wrong.
Truly, I will not go first; truly, la! I will not do you that wrong.
truly, i will not go first; truly, la! i will not do you that wrong. or something?
truly, i will not go first; truly, la! i
I pray you, sir.
I pray you, sir.
i pray you, sir.
i pray you, sir.
I’ll rather be unmannerly than troublesome. You do yourself wrong,
indeed, la!
I’ll rather be unmannerly than troublesome. You do yourself wrong, indeed, la!
i’ll rather be unmannerly than troublesome. you do yourself wrong, indeed, la! or something?
i’ll rather be unmannerly than troubleso
The Reckoning
The comedy announces itself through noise and comedy of manners — Shallow's wounded dignity, Evans's mangled English, and Slender's complete inability to woo a woman he's standing right next to. The audience meets the whole Windsor world in one crowded scene, each character bumbling toward their own agenda. What lingers is Slender's exquisite haplessness: Anne Page clearly wants nothing to do with him, and he spends their entire exchange talking about bear-baiting.
If this happened today…
Imagine a HOA meeting that somehow morphs into a family dinner. The neighbourhood busybody is furious that the loud new resident crashed his garden party, ate his venison, and punched someone. A well-meaning church treasurer suggests that hey, while we're all here, his cousin could really use a date. The cousin spends the next twenty minutes talking about extreme sports to the woman everyone's trying to set him up with, who is desperately trying to get him to come inside and eat something. Nobody resolves anything.