Caius is nearby, and he too is acting in a wonderful – that is, unusual – way. Page comments that Caius “is most at odds with his own gravity and patience that ever you saw” (45-46); and Shallow adds, “I never heard a man of his place, gravity, and learning so wide of his own respect” (47-48). The word respect refers to his respectful position or reputation. The word gravity means seriousness or serious behavior and suggests sober and logical clear-headed thinking. Doctor Caius is not thinking clearly. His emotions, especially his anger, have conquered his reason, his ability to think clearly.
Caius then appears (at line 63) along with the Host of the Garter. Both Evans and Caius draw their swords and prepare to fight; but Page, Shallow, and the Host urge the combatants to put down their weapons and discuss their differences. Although the two duelists act bravely and put on a show of defiance, they are really both relieved that they do not have to go through with the fight.
As the two men face each other, the Host comments, “Let them keep their limbs whole, and hack our English” (66-67). Neither the Host nor anyone else ever wanted to see Evans or Caius hurt. They have played a merry prank on the two men, but they never intended for the prank to lead to actual violence. Moreover, the verbal debate between the two hackers of English provides more amusement to the spectators than an actual duel – with its potential for harm and injury – could.
As the two men speak angry and boastful words to one another, Evans speaks in an aside heard