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Shakespeare plays FALSTAFF, a fat knight


Illustration: Shakespeare plays Falstaff dressed in medieval style, with a large white beard and well-padded stomach; he grins slyly at Mistress Ford as his arm creeps round her waist.  She looks sideways at him with a knowing smile Thumbnail: Shakespeare on stage.  Use as a link to the full-size illustration

Mistress Ford has been receiving unwelcome love-letters from Falstaff. She pretends to be interested while actually planning to teach him a lesson.
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Act 3 Scene 3


What Falstaff said
about himself


"A goodly portly man, in faith, of a cheerful look, a pleasing eye, and a most noble carriage!"

Henry IV part 1
Act 2 Scene 4

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