Play description
ACT I
Scene 1. Shallow and his cousin Slender believe themselves wronged by Falstaff and his followers.
Page invites them to his house to "drink down all unkindness." Sir Hugh Evans and Shallow
encourage Slender to woo Page's daughter Anne.
Scene 2. Sir Hugh sends Slender's servant Simple to Mistress Quickly, housekeeper to the French
doctor, Caius, with a letter asking her to intercede with Anne on Slender's behalf.
Scene 3. Poverty-stricken, Falstaff plans to seduce Mistresses Ford and Page, the "Merry Wives," in
order to gain access to their husbands' purses. Having been dismissed by Falstaff, Nym and Pistol
decide to reveal his scheme to Ford and Page.
Scene 4. Mistress Quickly promises Simple that she will help Slender to woo Anne. When Caius
returns home, she hides Simple, but he is soon discovered. The doctor, who also loves Anne, rants
furiously against Sir Hugh. Later, Quickly encourages Fenton, another of Anne's suitors, though she
privately believes the girl is not interested in him.