What, John! What, Robert!
What, John! What, Robert!
what, john! what, robert!
what, john! what, robert!
Quickly, quickly! Is the buck-basket—
Quickly, quickly! Is the buck-basket—
quickly, quickly! is the buck-basket—
quickly, quickly! is the buck-basket—
I warrant.—What, Robin, I say!
I warrant.—What, Robin, I say!
i warrant.—what, robin, i say!
i warrant.—what, robin, i say!
Come, come, come.
Come, come, come.
come, come, come.
come, come, come.
Here, set it down.
Here, set it down.
here, set it down.
here, set it down.
Give your men the charge; we must be brief.
Give your men the charge; we must be brief.
give your men the charge; we must be brief.
give your men the charge; we must be brief.
Marry, as I told you before, John and Robert, be ready here hard by in
the brew-house; and when I suddenly call you, come forth, and, without
any pause or staggering, take this basket on your shoulders. That done,
trudge with it in all haste, and carry it among the whitsters in
Datchet Mead, and there empty it in the muddy ditch close by the Thames
side.
Well, as I told you before, John and Robert, be ready here hard by in the brew-house; and when I suddenly call you, come forth, and, without any pause or staggering, take this basket on your shoulders. That done, trudge with it in all haste, and carry it among the whitsters in Datchet Mead, and there empty it in the muddy ditch close by the Thames side.
well, as i told you before, john and robert, be ready here hard by in the brew-house; and when i suddenly call you, come forth, and, without any pause or staggering, take this basket on your shoulders. that done, trudge with it in all haste, and carry it among the whitsters in datchet mead, and there empty it in the muddy ditch close by the thames side.
well, as i told you before, john and robert, be re
You will do it?
You will do it?
you will do it?
you will do it?
I ha’ told them over and over, they lack no direction.—Be gone, and
come when you are called.
I ha’ told them over and over, they lack no direction.—Be gone, and come when you are called.
i ha’ told them over and over, they lack no direction.—be gone, and come when you are called.
i ha’ told them over and over, they lack no direct
Here comes little Robin.
Here comes little Robin.
here comes little robin.
here comes little robin.
How now, my eyas-musket, what news with you?
How now, my eyas-musket, what news with you?
how now, my eyas-musket, what news with you?
how now, my eyas-musket, what news with you?
My Master, Sir John, is come in at your back door, Mistress Ford, and
requests your company.
My Master, Sir John, is come in at your back door, Mistress Ford, and requests your company.
my master, sir john, is come in at your back door, mistress ford, and requests your company.
my master, sir john, is come in at your back door,
You little Jack-a-Lent, have you been true to us?
You little Jack-a-Lent, have you been true to us?
you little jack-a-lent, have you been true to us?
you little jack-a-lent, have you been true to us?
Ay, I’ll be sworn. My master knows not of your being here, and hath
threatened to put me into everlasting liberty if I tell you of it; for
he swears he’ll turn me away.
Yes, I’ll be sworn. My master knows not of your being here, and has threatened to put me into everlasting liberty if I tell you of it; for he swears he’ll turn me away.
yes, i’ll be sworn. my master knows not of your being here, and has threatened to put me into everlasting liberty if i tell you of it; for he swears he’ll turn me away.
yes, i’ll be sworn. my master knows not of your be
Thou’rt a good boy, this secrecy of thine shall be a tailor to thee,
and shall make thee a new doublet and hose. I’ll go hide me.
you’rt a good boy, this secrecy of yours will be a tailor to you, and will make you a new doublet and hose. I’ll go hide me.
you’rt a good boy, this secrecy of yours will be a tailor to you, and will make you a new doublet and hose. i’ll go hide me.
you’rt a good boy, this secrecy of yours will be
Do so.—Go tell thy master I am alone.
Do so.—Go tell your master I am alone.
do so.—go tell your master i am alone.
do so.—go tell your master i am alone.
I warrant thee. If I do not act it, hiss me.
I warrant you. If I do not act it, hiss me.
i warrant you. if i do not act it, hiss me.
i warrant you. if i do not act it, hiss me.
Go to, then. We’ll use this unwholesome humidity, this gross watery
pumpion; we’ll teach him to know turtles from jays.
Go to, then. We’ll use this unwholesome humidity, this gross watery pumpion; we’ll teach him to know turtles from jays.
go to, then. we’ll use this unwholesome humidity, this gross watery pumpion; we’ll teach him to know turtles from jays.
go to, then. we’ll use this unwholesome humidity,
“Have I caught thee, my heavenly jewel?” Why, now let me die, for I
have lived long enough. This is the period of my ambition. O this
blessed hour!
“Have I caught you, my heavenly jewel?” Why, now let me die, for I have lived long enough. This is the period of my ambition. O this blessed hour!
“have i caught you, my heavenly jewel?” why, now let me die, for i have lived long enough. this is the period of my ambition. o this blessed hour!
“have i caught you, my heavenly jewel?” why, now
O, sweet Sir John!
O, sweet Sir John!
o, sweet sir john!
o, sweet sir john!
Mistress Ford, I cannot cog, I cannot prate, Mistress Ford. Now shall I
sin in my wish: I would thy husband were dead. I’ll speak it before the
best lord: I would make thee my lady.
I see a lovely woman and I cannot help but notice.
I see a pretty woman, I'm gonna say something nice.
shes beautiful
im just noticing
I your lady, Sir John? Alas, I should be a pitiful lady.
I your lady, Sir John? Alas, I should be a pitiful lady.
i your lady, sir john? alas, i should be a pitiful lady.
i your lady, sir john? alas, i should be a pitiful
Let the court of France show me such another. I see how thine eye would
emulate the diamond. Thou hast the right arched beauty of the brow that
becomes the ship-tire, the tire-valiant, or any tire of Venetian
admittance.
Let the court of France show me such another. I see how yours eye would emulate the diamond. you hast the right arched beauty of the brow that becomes the ship-tire, the tire-valiant, or any tire of Venetian admittance.
let the court of france show me such another. i see how yours eye would emulate the diamond. you hast the right arched beauty of the brow that becomes the ship-tire, the tire-valiant, or any tire of venetian admittance.
let the court of france show me such another. i se
A plain kerchief, Sir John. My brows become nothing else, nor that well
neither.
A plain kerchief, Sir John. My brows become nothing else, nor that well neither.
a plain kerchief, sir john. my brows become nothing else, nor that well neither.
a plain kerchief, sir john. my brows become nothin
By the Lord, thou art a traitor to say so. Thou wouldst make an
absolute courtier, and the firm fixture of thy foot would give an
excellent motion to thy gait in a semi-circled farthingale. I see what
thou wert, if Fortune thy foe were not, Nature thy friend. Come, thou
canst not hide it.
By the Lord, you are a traitor to say so. you would make an absolute courtier, and the firm fixture of your foot would give an excellent motion to your gait in a semi-circled farthingale. I see what you were, if Fortune your foe were not, Nature your friend. Come, you canst not hide it.
by the lord, you are a traitor to say so. you would make an absolute courtier, and the firm fixture of your foot would give an excellent motion to your gait in a semi-circled farthingale. i see what you were, if fortune your foe were not, nature your friend. come, you canst not hide it.
by the lord, you are a traitor to say so. you wo
Believe me, there’s no such thing in me.
Believe me, there’s no such thing in me.
believe me, there’s no such thing in me.
believe me, there’s no such thing in me.
What made me love thee? Let that persuade thee there’s something
extraordinary in thee. Come, I cannot cog and say thou art this and
that, like a many of these lisping hawthorn buds that come like women
in men’s apparel, and smell like Bucklersbury in simple-time. I cannot.
But I love thee, none but thee; and thou deservest it.
What made me love you? Let that persuade you there’s something extraordinary in you. Come, I cannot cog and say you are this and that, like a many of these lisping hawthorn buds that come like women in men’s apparel, and smell like Bucklersbury in simple-time. I cannot. But I love you, none but you; and you deservest it.
what made me love you? let that persuade you there’s something extraordinary in you. come, i cannot cog and say you are this and that, like a many of these lisping hawthorn buds that come like women in men’s apparel, and smell like bucklersbury in simple-time. i cannot. but i love you, none but you; and you deservest it.
what made me love you? let that persuade you the
Do not betray me, sir; I fear you love Mistress Page.
Do not betray me, sir; I fear you love Mistress Page.
do not betray me, sir; i fear you love mistress page.
do not betray me, sir; i fear you love mistress pa
Thou mightst as well say I love to walk by the Counter gate, which is
as hateful to me as the reek of a lime-kiln.
you mightst as well say I love to walk by the Counter gate, which is as hateful to me as the reek of a lime-kiln.
you mightst as well say i love to walk by the counter gate, which is as hateful to me as the reek of a lime-kiln.
you mightst as well say i love to walk by the cou
Well, heaven knows how I love you, and you shall one day find it.
Well, heaven knows how I love you, and you will one day find it.
well, heaven knows how i love you, and you will one day find it.
well, heaven knows how i love you, and you will on
Keep in that mind, I’ll deserve it.
Keep in that mind, I’ll deserve it.
keep in that mind, i’ll deserve it.
keep in that mind, i’ll deserve it.
Nay, I must tell you, so you do; or else I could not be in that mind.
No, I must tell you, so you do; or else I could not be in that mind.
no, i must tell you, so you do; or else i could not be in that mind.
no, i must tell you, so you do; or else i could no
The middle section of this scene (3-3-027 through 3-3-040) is Falstaff at his most sincere and therefore most pathetic. His language becomes almost tender: 'I love thee, none but thee; and thou deservest it.' For a moment, the seducer becomes human. He is not flattering for effect; he seems to actually mean it. Mistress Ford plays along perfectly, responding with both resistance and recognition, and for a moment the audience might wonder if the women are actually going to go through with the humiliation. But the knock on the door shatters everything. Falstaff's moment of vulnerability becomes the prelude to his greatest humiliation. Shakespeare uses the seduction not as the climax but as the setup: the more sincere Falstaff is, the more devastating it is when he crawls into a laundry basket to escape.
Mistress Ford, Mistress Ford, here’s Mistress Page at the door,
sweating and blowing and looking wildly, and would needs speak with you
presently.
Mistress Ford, Mistress Ford, here’s Mistress Page at the door, sweating and blowing and looking wildly, and would needs speak with you presently.
mistress ford, mistress ford, here’s mistress page at the door, sweating and blowing and looking wildly, and would needs speak with you presently.
mistress ford, mistress ford, here’s mistress page
She shall not see me; I will ensconce me behind the arras.
She will not see me; I will ensconce me behind the arras.
she will not see me; i will ensconce me behind the arras.
she will not see me; i will ensconce me behind the
Pray you, do so; she’s a very tattling woman.
Pray you, do so; she’s a very tattling woman.
pray you, do so; she’s a very tattling woman.
pray you, do so; she’s a very tattling woman.
O Mistress Ford, what have you done? You’re shamed, you’re overthrown,
you’re undone for ever!
O Mistress Ford, what have you done? You’re shamed, you’re overthrown, you’re undone for ever!
o mistress ford, what have you done? you’re shamed, you’re overthrown, you’re undone for ever!
o mistress ford, what have you done? you’re shamed
What’s the matter, good Mistress Page?
What’s the matter, good Mistress Page?
what’s the matter, good mistress page?
what’s the matter, good mistress page?
O well-a-day, Mistress Ford, having an honest man to your husband, to
give him such cause of suspicion!
O well-a-day, Mistress Ford, having an honest man to your husband, to give him such cause of suspicion!
o well-a-day, mistress ford, having an honest man to your husband, to give him such cause of suspicion!
o well-a-day, mistress ford, having an honest man
What cause of suspicion?
What cause of suspicion?
what cause of suspicion?
what cause of suspicion?
What cause of suspicion? Out upon you! How am I mistook in you!
What cause of suspicion? Out upon you! How am I mistook in you!
what cause of suspicion? out upon you! how am i mistook in you!
what cause of suspicion? out upon you! how am i mi
Why, alas, what’s the matter?
Why, alas, what’s the matter?
why, alas, what’s the matter?
why, alas, what’s the matter?
Your husband’s coming hither, woman, with all the officers in Windsor,
to search for a gentleman that he says is here now in the house, by
your consent, to take an ill advantage of his absence. You are undone.
Your husband’s coming hither, woman, with all the officers in Windsor, to search for a gentleman that he says is here now in the house, by your consent, to take an ill advantage of his absence. You are undone.
your husband’s coming hither, woman, with all the officers in windsor, to search for a gentleman that he says is here now in the house, by your consent, to take an ill advantage of his absence. you are undone.
your husband’s coming hither, woman, with all the
’Tis not so, I hope.
’Tis not so, I hope.
’tis not so, i hope.
’tis not so, i hope.
Pray heaven it be not so, that you have such a man here! But ’tis most
certain your husband’s coming, with half Windsor at his heels, to
search for such a one. I come before to tell you. If you know yourself
clear, why, I am glad of it; but if you have a friend here, convey,
convey him out. Be not amazed, call all your senses to you; defend your
reputation, or bid farewell to your good life for ever.
Pray heaven it be not so, that you have such a man here! But ’tis most certain your husband’s coming, with half Windsor at his heels, to search for such a one. I come before to tell you. If you know yourself clear, why, I am glad of it; but if you have a friend here, convey, convey him out. Be not amazed, call all your senses to you; defend your reputation, or bid farewell to your good life for ever.
pray heaven it be not so, that you have such a man here! but ’tis most certain your husband’s coming, with half windsor at his heels, to search for such a one. i come before to tell you. if you know yourself clear, why, i am glad of it; but if you have a friend here, convey, convey him out. be not amazed, call all your senses to you; defend your reputation, or bid farewell to your good life for ever.
pray heaven it be not so, that you have such a man
What shall I do? There is a gentleman, my dear friend; and I fear not
mine own shame as much as his peril. I had rather than a thousand pound
he were out of the house.
What will I do? There is a gentleman, my dear friend; and I fear not mine own shame as much as his peril. I had rather than a thousand pound he were out of the house.
what will i do? there is a gentleman, my dear friend; and i fear not mine own shame as much as his peril. i had rather than a thousand pound he were out of the house.
what will i do? there is a gentleman, my dear frie
For shame! Never stand “you had rather” and “you had rather”. Your
husband’s here at hand. Bethink you of some conveyance. In the house
you cannot hide him. O, how have you deceived me! Look, here is a
basket. If he be of any reasonable stature, he may creep in here; and
throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going to bucking. Or—it is
whiting-time—send him by your two men to Datchet Mead.
For shame! Never stand “you had rather” and “you had rather”. Your husband’s here at hand. Bethink you of some conveyance. In the house you cannot hide him. O, how have you deceived me! Look, here is a basket. If he be of any reasonable stature, he may creep in here; and throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going to bucking. Or—it is whiting-time—send him by your two men to Datchet Mead.
for shame! never stand “you had rather” and “you had rather”. your husband’s here at hand. bethink you of some conveyance. in the house you cannot hide him. o, how have you deceived me! look, here is a basket. if he be of any reasonable stature, he may creep in here; and throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going to bucking. or—it's whiting-time—send him by your two men to datchet mead.
for shame! never stand “you had rather” and “you h
He’s too big to go in there. What shall I do?
He’s too big to go in there. What will I do?
he’s too big to go in there. what will i do?
he’s too big to go in there. what will i do?
’t! I’ll in, I’ll in. Follow your friend’s counsel. I’ll in.
’t! I’ll in, I’ll in. Follow your friend’s counsel. I’ll in.
’t! i’ll in, i’ll in. follow your friend’s counsel. i’ll in.
’t! i’ll in, i’ll in. follow your friend’s counsel
What, Sir John Falstaff? Are these your letters, knight?
What, Sir John Falstaff? Are these your letters, knight?
what, sir john falstaff? are these your letters, knight?
what, sir john falstaff? are these your letters, k
I love thee, and none but thee. Help me away. Let me creep in here.
I’ll never—
I love you, and none but you. Help me away. Let me creep in here. I’ll never—
i love you, and none but you. help me away. let me creep in here. i’ll never—
i love you, and none but you. help me away. let
Help to cover your master, boy.—Call your men, Mistress Ford.—You
dissembling knight!
Help to cover your master, boy.—Call your men, Mistress Ford.—You dissembling knight!
help to cover your master, boy.—call your men, mistress ford.—you dissembling knight!
help to cover your master, boy.—call your men, mis
What, John! Robert! John!
What, John! Robert! John!
what, john! robert! john!
what, john! robert! john!
Pray you come near. If I suspect without cause, why then make sport at
me, then let me be your jest; I deserve it.—How now? Whither bear you
this?
JOHN and ROBERT.
To the laundress, forsooth.
Pray you come near. If I suspect without cause, why then make sport at me, then let me be your jest; I deserve it.—How now? Whither bear you this? JOHN and ROBERT. To the laundress, truly.
pray you come near. if i suspect without cause, why then make sport at me, then let me be your jest; i deserve it.—how now? whither bear you this? john and robert. to the laundress, truly.
pray you come near. if i suspect without cause, wh
Why, what have you to do whither they bear it? You were best meddle
with buck-washing!
Why, what have you to do whither they bear it? You were best meddle with buck-washing!
why, what have you to do whither they bear it? you were best meddle with buck-washing!
why, what have you to do whither they bear it? you
Buck? I would I could wash myself of the buck! Buck, buck, buck! Ay,
buck! I warrant you, buck, and of the season too, it shall appear.
Buck? I would I could wash myself of the buck! Buck, buck, buck! Yes, buck! I warrant you, buck, and of the season too, it will appear.
buck? i would i could wash myself of the buck! buck, buck, buck! yes, buck! i warrant you, buck, and of the season too, it will appear.
buck? i would i could wash myself of the buck! buc
Good Master Ford, be contented: you wrong yourself too much.
Good Master Ford, be contented: you wrong yourself too much.
good master ford, be contented: you wrong yourself too much.
good master ford, be contented: you wrong yourself
True, Master Page.—Up, gentlemen, you shall see sport anon. Follow me,
gentlemen.
True, Master Page.—Up, gentlemen, you will see sport soon. Follow me, gentlemen.
true, master page.—up, gentlemen, you will see sport soon. follow me, gentlemen.
true, master page.—up, gentlemen, you will see spo
The laundry basket is not just a plot device; it's the physical embodiment of the play's central joke about Falstaff. He is a man who has been reduced from a knight to a would-be seducer to a piece of laundry. The basket was prepared by the women in the previous scene with full knowledge that Falstaff might end up in it; when he crawls in, he is collaborating in his own reduction. What makes it funny rather than cruel is that Falstaff does it willingly, thinking he's escaping. The basket carries him not to safety but to the Thames, where he will be dumped like actual dirty laundry. His body, which has been the center of so much scheming, becomes treated as literal waste.
By gar, ’tis no the fashion of France; it is not jealous in France.
By gar, ’tis no the fashion of France; it is not jealous in France.
by gar, ’tis no the fashion of france; it is not jealous in france.
by gar, ’tis no the fashion of france; it is not j
Nay, follow him, gentlemen; see the issue of his search.
No, follow him, gentlemen; see the issue of his search.
no, follow him, gentlemen; see the issue of his search.
no, follow him, gentlemen; see the issue of his se
Is there not a double excellency in this?
Is there not a double excellency in this?
is there not a double excellency in this?
is there not a double excellency in this?
I know not which pleases me better, that my husband is deceived, or Sir
John.
I know not which pleases me better, that my husband is deceived, or Sir John.
i know not which pleases me better, that my husband is deceived, or sir john.
i know not which pleases me better, that my husban
What a taking was he in when your husband asked who was in the basket!
What a taking was he in when your husband asked who was in the basket!
what a taking was he in when your husband asked who was in the basket!
what a taking was he in when your husband asked wh
I am half afraid he will have need of washing, so throwing him into the
water will do him a benefit.
I am half afraid he will have need of washing, so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit.
i am half afraid he will have need of washing, so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit.
i am half afraid he will have need of washing, so
Hang him, dishonest rascal! I would all of the same strain were in the
same distress.
Hang him, dishonest rascal! I would all of the same strain were in the same distress.
hang him, dishonest rascal! i would all of the same strain were in the same distress.
hang him, dishonest rascal! i would all of the sam
I think my husband hath some special suspicion of Falstaff’s being
here, for I never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now.
I think my husband has some special suspicion of Falstaff’s being here, for I never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now.
i think my husband has some special suspicion of falstaff’s being here, for i never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now.
i think my husband has some special suspicion of f
I will lay a plot to try that, and we will yet have more tricks with
Falstaff. His dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine.
I will lay a plot to try that, and we will yet have more tricks with Falstaff. His dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine.
i will lay a plot to try that, and we will yet have more tricks with falstaff. his dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine.
i will lay a plot to try that, and we will yet hav
Shall we send that foolish carrion Mistress Quickly to him, and excuse
his throwing into the water, and give him another hope, to betray him
to another punishment?
will we send that foolish carrion Mistress Quickly to him, and excuse his throwing into the water, and give him another hope, to betray him to another punishment?
will we send that foolish carrion mistress quickly to him, and excuse his throwing into the water, and give him another hope, to betray him to another punishment?
will we send that foolish carrion mistress quickly
We will do it. Let him be sent for tomorrow eight o’clock to have
amends.
We will do it. Let him be sent for tomorrow eight o’clock to have amends.
we will do it. let him be sent for tomorrow eight o’clock to have amends.
we will do it. let him be sent for tomorrow eight
You use me well, Master Ford, do you?
You use me well, Master Ford, do you?
you use me well, master ford, do you?
you use me well, master ford, do you?
Ay, I do so.
Yes, I do so.
yes, i do so.
yes, i do so.
Heaven make you better than your thoughts!
Heaven make you better than your thoughts!
heaven make you better than your thoughts!
heaven make you better than your thoughts!
Amen!
Amen!
amen!
amen!
You do yourself mighty wrong, Master Ford.
You do yourself mighty wrong, Master Ford.
you do yourself mighty wrong, master ford.
you do yourself mighty wrong, master ford.
Ay, ay; I must bear it.
Yes, Yes; I must bear it.
yes, yes; i must bear it.
yes, yes; i must bear it.
If there be anypody in the house, and in the chambers, and in the
coffers, and in the presses, heaven forgive my sins at the day of
judgment!
If there be anypody in the house, and in the chambers, and in the coffers, and in the presses, heaven forgive my sins at the day of judgment!
if there be anypody in the house, and in the chambers, and in the coffers, and in the presses, heaven forgive my sins at the day of judgment!
if there be anypody in the house, and in the chamb
Be gar, nor I too; there is nobodies.
Be gar, nor I too; there is nobodies.
be gar, nor i too; there is nobodies.
be gar, nor i too; there is nobodies.
Fie, fie, Master Ford, are you not ashamed? What spirit, what devil
suggests this imagination? I would not ha’ your distemper in this kind
for the wealth of Windsor Castle.
Fie, fie, Master Ford, are you not ashamed? What spirit, what devil suggests this imagination? I would not ha’ your distemper in this kind for the wealth of Windsor Castle.
fie, fie, master ford, are you not ashamed? what spirit, what devil suggests this imagination? i would not ha’ your distemper in this kind for the wealth of windsor castle.
fie, fie, master ford, are you not ashamed? what s
’Tis my fault, Master Page. I suffer for it.
’Tis my fault, Master Page. I suffer for it.
’tis my fault, master page. i suffer for it.
’tis my fault, master page. i suffer for it.
You suffer for a pad conscience. Your wife is as honest a ’omans as I
will desires among five thousand, and five hundred too.
You suffer for a pad conscience. Your wife is as honest a ’omans as I will desires among five thousand, and five hundred too.
you suffer for a pad conscience. your wife is as honest a ’omans as i will desires among five thousand, and five hundred too.
you suffer for a pad conscience. your wife is as h
By gar, I see ’tis an honest woman.
By gar, I see ’tis an honest woman.
by gar, i see ’tis an honest woman.
by gar, i see ’tis an honest woman.
Well, I promised you a dinner. Come, come, walk in the park. I pray you
pardon me; I will hereafter make known to you why I have done this.
Come, wife, come, Mistress Page, I pray you pardon me. Pray heartily,
pardon me.
Well, I promised you a dinner. Come, come, walk in the park. I pray you pardon me; I will hereafter make known to you why I have done this. Come, wife, come, Mistress Page, I pray you pardon me. Pray heartily, pardon me.
well, i promised you a dinner. come, come, walk in the park. i pray you pardon me; i will hereafter make known to you why i have done this. come, wife, come, mistress page, i pray you pardon me. pray heartily, pardon me.
well, i promised you a dinner. come, come, walk in
Let’s go in, gentlemen; but, trust me, we’ll mock him. I do invite you
tomorrow morning to my house to breakfast; after, we’ll a-birding
together; I have a fine hawk for the bush. Shall it be so?
Let’s go in, gentlemen; but, trust me, we’ll mock him. I do invite you tomorrow morning to my house to breakfast; after, we’ll a-birding together; I have a fine hawk for the bush. will it be so?
let’s go in, gentlemen; but, trust me, we’ll mock him. i do invite you tomorrow morning to my house to breakfast; after, we’ll a-birding together; i have a fine hawk for the bush. will it be so?
let’s go in, gentlemen; but, trust me, we’ll mock
Anything.
Anything.
anything.
anything.
If there is one, I shall make two in the company.
If there is one, I will make two in the company.
if there is one, i will make two in the company.
if there is one, i will make two in the company.
If there be one or two, I shall make-a the turd.
If there be one or two, I will make-a the turd.
if there be one or two, i will make-a the turd.
if there be one or two, i will make-a the turd.
Pray you go, Master Page.
Pray you go, Master Page.
pray you go, master page.
pray you go, master page.
I pray you now, remembrance tomorrow on the lousy knave, mine host.
I pray you now, remembrance tomorrow on the lousy knave, mine host.
i pray you now, remembrance tomorrow on the lousy knave, mine host.
i pray you now, remembrance tomorrow on the lousy
Dat is good, by gar, with all my heart.
Dat is good, by God, with all my heart.
dat is good, by god, with all my heart.
dat is good, by god, with all my heart.
A lousy knave, to have his gibes and his mockeries!
A lousy knave, to have his gibes and his mockeries!
a lousy knave, to have his gibes and his mockeries!
a lousy knave, to have his gibes and his mockeries
The Reckoning
The scene is the mechanical heart of the Falstaff plot — farce at its purest. Two women orchestrate an elaborate humiliation while Falstaff, who has spent three acts convinced he is a seducer, becomes a piece of laundry. The comedy comes from the radical gap between his language (courtly, grandiose) and his fate (stuffed in a basket full of dirty washing). He is trapped not by a sword or a law, but by his own appetite and the women's precision.
If this happened today…
Imagine a con man shows up at the door certain he's going to seduce his mark — he's practiced his lines, he's perfected his charm — and the woman he's trying to con has already arranged with her friend to literally dump him in a laundry basket and throw him in a river. That's the gap between Falstaff's fantasy and his reality.