Peace, he still yearns for youth and the stirrings of hot blood. He still desires to hold a sword or rapier in his hand once again. He then concludes his declaration with “We are the sons of women” (41-42). Women are generally not brave and not warriors. Shallow should have said that we are the sons of men. Toward the end of the scene, the Host tells
Doctor Caius to forget Evans, to “let him wag” (61). In other words, let Evans run away like a coward.
In an aside to Page, Shallow, and Slender – so that Caius does not hear – the Host tells his friends to go to Frogmore, a town close by Windsor. There they will find Hugh Evans, who is waiting for Caius. Then Host had earlier told Evans that the duel would take place at Frogmore.
But out loud to Caius, the Host tells him to come to Frogmore because Anne Page is waiting there for him. The doctor gladly accepts.
The Host cannot resist making one more verbal joke. He tells Caius, “I will be thy adversary toward Anne Page” (80). The doctor thinks he means that he will be his advocate in helping him to marry Anne Page. But, of course, the Host really is his adversary or opponent in the matter. The Host does not really wish to help Caius at all. The Host just wants to have a little fun by making Caius and Evans look ridiculous.
This subplot involving the conflict between Caius and Evans compliments the plot involving the wives and Falstaff. The acts against Caius and Evans and against Falstaff contribute to the merriment of the play.