This is a splendid e-book edition of Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor. The book contains some very good essays on Shakespeare's life and his theater as well as essays on the play and the textual decisions taken for creating this edition. The concluding essay providing a modern interpretation of the play is, however, nothing special.

The play itself is very entertaining with plenty of gags that make Falstaff a real laughing stock. Unfortunately, many scenes in the play are a torture to read because of the German and Welsh accents of two of the characters as well as the many malapropisms in English, French and Latin. Fortunately, this edition contains easy links to footnotes that clarify what is being said. The jump to the footnotes is however a distraction while reading. ( )

"Esperanto", 1949, vol. 42, nr 525-6, p. 93

John Falstaff of the Henry plays is visiting Windsor and writes letters to two of the wives, attempting to seduce them for their husbands' money. The wives, Mistress Ford (of a jealous husband) and Mistress Page (of a not-so-jealous husband), decide to have some fun with him for coming up with so outrageous a plot. Meanwhile, multiple suitors try to Miss Anne Page's hand.

This is a departure from many of Shakespeare's plays in that the majority of it is written in prose; only some is in meter. I enjoyed the wordplay and the ridiculous scenarios and ways the wives outwit Falstaff. The fat jokes may offend. ( )

You can never have enough of Sir John Falstaff, Shakespeare's finest comic creation and although he plays even more of the idiotic buffoon than he does in the Henriad it is still a pleasure to read (or to watch). ( )

I read this to prep for seeing the play this week. I have never read or seen this play, and thought it wouldn't hurt to go in knowing the story.

The Folger Shakespeare Library editions are laid out nicely. Every page of the play has a facing page that explains the more inscrutable phrases. The introductory sections were brief but interesting, and there are recommendations for further reading in the back, along with an essay about the play.
If I ever feel the need to study before going out to enjoy another Shakespeare play, I would look for this format again.

The play itself was fun. I always choose comedies when I buy play tickets. Shakespeare comedies are always full of tricks and hijinks, and Merry Wives of Windsor is no exception. Stir in a couple of pranksters and dudes with funny accents, and we have ourselves a romp that should be great to see on stage. ( )