The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Folger Shakespeare:
“There is a long, if quite groundless, tradition that Queen Elizabeth so enjoyed Falstaff in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2 that she commanded the dramatist to write a play about Falstaff in love, a command that Shakespeare purportedly fulfilled in just two weeks. While the tradition has nothing factual to support it, it reflects the fact that Falstaff through the centuries has been regarded by audiences as the “hero” of the play.” link/source
But we want to believe.
Other views.
“Since the eighteenth century it has been rumoured that The Merry Wives of Windsor was written after Elizabeth I commanded Shakespeare to write a play featuring the character of Falstaff and showing him in love. This is now thought to be unlikely, but we do know that Elizabeth I watched the play.” link/source
Bloom on Merry Wives…
“Let us consult again this greasy knight.” (Mistress Page)
The class — cast — was overwhelmingly female so a number of the parts were played by females in male roles. Didn’t lessen the impact of the show’s intent. Amazing production.
Special hat tip to Falstaff.
A bit of whimsy, following so closely on the jealous tone of the previous Othello, similar underlying theme, very different interpretation.
the Portable Mercury Retrograde
