The Merry Wives of Windsor Resources
Websites
Hey, don't forget to check out our very own Shakespeare page. We've got Big Willy's biography, resume, timeline, and more.
We couldn't resist taking this online quiz, compliments of the Teen Nick network. (We're "Falstaff," of course.)
This is a great e-version of the text because you can do a search by act, scene, word, or character lines.
… Is the Folger Shakespeare Library. Hands down one of the best online Shakespeare resources.
The BBC has a good Shakespeare page with plenty of cool resources for students and teachers.
A great website with links to boatloads of artifacts like pictures, press releases, theater productions, etc.
Movie or TV Productions
In this cult classic, George Orwell condenses all the Falstaff material from Merry Wives, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V. You can watch the whole film in parts on YouTube.
We're not going to lie—when it comes to DVD recordings of The Merry Wives of Windsor, it's pretty slim pickins. This 1982 BBC production is the one your English teacher will probably show in class.
Giuseppe Verdi's opera, Falstaff, is based on the antics of the iconic character and follows the plot of The Merry Wives of Windsor. If you're looking for a good DVD recording, the 2009 Glyndebourne Festival edition is your best bet.
Historical Documents
Check out some excerpts from the popular 16th/17th-century advice book A Godly Form of Household Government that informs the play's ideas about marriage and household stuff.
Cool facsimile of the First Folio edition of the play (1623).
What the play-text looked like when it was first published.
Video
The Heath players have adapted the play to modern-day suburban England. Mistresses Ford and Page wear awesome 80's spandex mini-dresses in this one.
Check out the finale of Verdi's Falstaff.
Check out the RSC's condensed version of Shakespeare's comedies, including Merry Wives.
Trailer for a Shakespeare's Globe Theater production of Merry Wives of Windsor.
Images
Famous 1840 painting called "Queen Elizabeth Viewing the Performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Globe Theatre," by artist David Scott.
We love us some old postcards.
Poster for a modern adaptation of the play.
Image from Shakespeare's Globe Theater production of the play.