SAUCE, "to pepper"; IV. iii. 11. SCALL, Scurvy; III. i. 126. V. v. 21. SEA-COAL FIRE, a fire made of coals brought by sea, a novelty at a time when wood was generally burnt; I. iv. 9. SEASON, fit time, (used probably technically for the time when the stags were at their best); III. iii. 174. SECURE, careless; II. i. 254. SEEMING, Specious; III. ii. 44. SEMI-CIRCLED FARTHINGALE, a petticoat, the hoop of which did not come round in front; III. iii. 71. SHAFT; "to make a shaft or bolt on 't" to do a thing either one way or another; a shaft a sharp arrow; a bolt, a thick short one with a knob at the end; III. iv. 24. SHENT, reviled, punished; I. iv. 39. = SHIP-TIRE, a peculiar head-dress, resembling a ship; III. iii. 62. SHOVEL-BOARDS, broad shillings of Edward VI used for the game of shove or shovel-board; I. i. 166. SIMPLE, medicinal herb; III. iii. 83. SIR, the inferior clergy, as well as knights or baronets, formerly received this title, being the old equivalent of the academic Dominus; (when applied to Bachelors of Arts at the Universities it was usually attached to the surname and not to the Christian name); hence "Sir" Hugh Evans; I. i. 1. SLACK, neglect; III. iv. 118. STALE, the urine of hor.es, applied by the host to Dr. Caius; II. iii. 31. STAMPS, impressed coins; III. iv. 16. STAR-CHAMBER; this Court, among its other functions, took cognizance of "routs and riots"; I. i. 2.. STOCCADOES, thrusts in fencing; II. i. 246. STOCK, thrust in fencing; II. iii. 26. STRAIN, disposition; II. i. 97. SUFFERANCE, Sufferings; IV. ii. 2. SWINGED, belabored; V. v. 204. TAKES, strikes with disease; IV. iv. 33. TAKING, fright; III. iii. 197. woolen yarn; thrum, the loose TIGHTLY, promptly; I. iii. 92. TRICKING, Costumes; IV. iv. 80. TROT, Caius' pronunciation of "troth"; IV. v. 92. WARD, posture of defense; II. ii. 276. WATCHED, tamed as a hawk is broken in, by being kept awake; V. v. 109. WHITING-TIME, bleaching time; III. iii. 145. WHITSTERS, bleachers of linen; III. iii. 15. WIDE OF, far from, indifferent to; III. i. 59. WITH, by; III. v. 116. WITTOLLY, cuckoldly; II. ii. 302. WOODMAN, a hunter of forbidden game, and also a pursuer of women; V. v. 31. WORTS, roots, (used quibblingly with reference to Sir Hugh's pronunciation of "words"); I. i. 129. WRONG, "you do yourself mighty wrong" you are much mistaken; III. iii. 230. WRONGS, "this wrongs you," this is unworthy of you; IV. ii. 171. YEAD, an old abbreviation of “Edward”; I. i. 168. STUDY QUESTIONS By ANNE THROOP CRAIG GENERAL 1. What is the tradition concerning the occasion of . Shakespeare's writing this comedy? 2. Compare the incidents in it with those in other literature of the time and earlier. 3. Aside from these incidents what elements are quite distinctive? 4. When is the action supposed to be, with relation to the other plays in which Falstaff appears? 5. What characteristics of Falstaff are apparent in this play? In what ways does his presentation in the other plays lose by the situation in this? 6. By what several intrigues does the play proceed? Describe their counteraction and their relation to the center plot. 7. What characters bring in especial comedy elements? What are these respective comedy features? 8. Cite the main incidents upon which the action. progressively turns. ACT I 9. To what characters are we first introduced? Describe them as the conversation shows them. 10. About what is their discussion? 11. What is the tradition as to the Poet's possible meaning in the impersonation of Justice Shallow? 12. Upon what errand to Mistress Quickly does Sir Hugh send Simple? 13. What is Falstaff's complaint in scene ii? 14. What does he intend to do 'to mend his fortunes? 15. What occupation does Bardolph have offered him, humorously appropriate to his character? 16. How do Nym and Pistol take Sir John's request that they do his errand? What do they decide to do to get even? 17. How does Mistress Quickly describe Rugby? 18. What passes between Simple and Mistress Quickly concerning Slender? What is the description of him? 19. What does Mistress Quickly promise Simple to undertake for his master? 20. What is the cause of Dr. Caius's commotion upon finding Simple in the closet? What does he do because of it? 21. What other suitor of Anne's does Mistress Quickly take it upon herself to champion? Judging from her asides what does she think of the chances of the several suitors? ACT II 22. Describe Sir John's letter to Mistress Page. 23. What are her comments upon it? 24. What is the news Mistress Ford brings her just as she finishes reading the letter? 25. What are their opinions of the knight and his letters? What do they devise in revenge for his impertinence? Whom do they get to help them with their plans? 26. How do Ford and Page receive the news Nym and Pistol bring them? 27. What news comes of Sir Hugh and Dr. Caius? 28. What tale does Mistress Quickly concoct for Sir John with regard to the effect of his wooing upon the two ladies? 29. What ruse does Ford employ to gather from Falstaff the course he intends to follow? 30. Describe the scene in which Dr. Caius awaits Sir Hugh for the duel. ACT III 31. What is the matter of the first scene? Describe it. 32. What is the comedy effect of Slender's asides during it? 33. How do Mistress Page and Mistress Ford carry out their plan against Falstaff? 34. What difficulties of their love-match do Fenton and Anne discuss? 35. Describe Slender's method of wooing. What is Anne's comment upon it? What does she say to her mother about him? 36. What is Anne's opinion of the suitor her mother would choose for her? 37. What are Mistress Quickly's final reflections in scene iv? 38. Describe Sir John's account of his adventure to Ford. ACT IV 39. Is there any motive but incidental diversion in the scene between Sir Hugh and William? What are its comedy features? 40. What next decoy for Falstaff do the two wives set? 41. How is Ford also fooled while the device is carried through? 42. Was there ever such an old personage as the "fat woman of Brentford”? 43. What do the two wives decide at last to do for the final discomfiture of Sir John? 44. What does Ford say when the whole matter is divulged? 45. What are the counter-plans of Page and his wife for the accomplishment of Anne's marriage? 46. What turn of his tables does the Host of the Garter Inn experience? Why do Sir Hugh and Dr. Caius make it an occasion for some sarcasm at his expense? 47. What do Fenton and Anne Page plan to circumvent her parents? |