one that is set in England. Shakespeare’s town of Windsor is full of intriguing and fascinating characters. Mostly simple and kind-hearted, the folk of Windsor still manage to embroil themselves in the same types of social conflicts and petty wrangling that occur in the large cities. Husbands fight with wives, daughters fight with their fathers, and people often take offense where none is actually given. Yet, Shakespeare’s town and the people in it are essentially charming and peaceful. One of Shakespeare’s greatest attributes is that he makes his characters seem real in all of his plays, and the characters in Merry Wives are no exception. The audience sympathizes with them and gladly takes a passive role in their intrigues and squabbles.
The main plot of the play focuses on revenge. The characters of Windsor want and demand justice. They want to protect their honor. So, when a troublesome interloper by the name of Sir John Falstaff sweeps aside their sense of justice and threatens their sense of honor, the people take it upon themselves to take their revenge and restore justice and honor to their town and themselves. Yet, the people of Windsor are not vindictive or violent. Their methods are essentially peaceful. Thus, they strive to maintain order in their town; and, upon restoring that order, they return to their lives of peace and tranquility. Even the perpetrators of crimes suffer no lasting punishment. This is a gentle comedy, after all. No one gets permanently hurt.
Windsor, despite the minor difficulties among the populace, is rather idealized and appealing. The