William Shakespeare,
Merry Wives of Windsor
(1922)
“ Margaret is quick of wit, and manages to conceal her lover—once in a 'dry-vat' full of feathers; again 'between two ceilings of a chamber,' and finally in an old chest where valuable papers are stored. This time Mutio is sure Lionello is in the house, so he sets fire to the room, and Margaret saves her lover by bidding the servants carry out the chest. ”
William Shakespeare,
Merry Wives of Windsor
(1922)
“ Another element in Shakespeare's plot, which may have been suggested by several contemporary stories, is that of the lover who unwittingly confides his plans to the jealous husband of his lady. This theme is found in the Tale of the two lovers of Pisa in Tarlton's Newes out of Puryatorie, a collection of stories published in 1590. In this tale, Mutio, an old doctor of Pisa, discovers that Lionello is courting Margaret, the beautiful woman he has just married. Lionello informs his friend of his plans for meeting Margaret, so Mutio is able to break in upon them each time. ”
William Shakespeare,
Merry Wives of Windsor
(1922)
“ During the nineteenth century the play has been a favorite source for librettos for operas. In 1824 Frederick Reynolds was 'censured as an interpolator, for converting Shakespeare's plays into operas'; but his production of the Merry Wives ran for thirty-two performances at Drury Lane, and was a great success. In 1838 Balfe's opera, Falstaff, with an Italian libretto by Maggioni, was produced at London. Nine years later a German version, Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, with music by Nicolai, was given in Berlin. ”
