Understanding Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor by Robert A. Albano - HTML preview

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intends to practice “French thrift” (74). Many French gentleman employed very few servants, and for now on Falstaff will have only one servant, Robin.

After Falstaff and Robin exit, Pistol and Nym discuss their dismissal. They are angry with Falstaff and decide to take vengeance against him. Thus, they decide to inform Master Ford and Master Page about Falstaff’s plans to seduce their wives. Their hope is that the husbands will deal with Falstaff in a ruthless and violent manner.

Another concept is thus raised in this scene: the revenge theme. Earlier in this play Shallow indicated that he would like to get vengeance on Falstaff, and later in the play other characters will also hope to revenge the insults given to them. Putting the revenge in action will thus instigate the plot and subplots of the play.