Mistress Ford

fictional character

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

Mistress Ford is a fictional character in William Shakespeare's comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor. She is one of the two titular "merry wives" who are married and financially independent.1

In the play, Mistress Ford, along with Mistress Page, receives identical love letters from the aging knight, Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff's intention is to swindle money from them and pursue them sexually. However, the two wives discover his plot and resolve to trick him. They succeed in fooling Falstaff twice, leading to his humiliation. Mistress Ford also plays a role in thwarting her husband's jealous suspicions. The play is set in Windsor and focuses on the comic misadventures of Falstaff and the cleverness of the two wives.1

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The Merry Wives of Windsor
…married women, Mistress Page and Mistress Ford, who are said to control their own financial affairs and thus to be moderately wealthy. He writes identical love letters to them, hoping to swindle some money from them while also enjoying them as sexual partners. He tries to engage the assistance of…
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…married women, Mistress Page and Mistress Ford, who are said to control their own financial affairs and thus to be moderately wealthy. He writes identical love letters to them, hoping to swindle some money from them while also enjoying them as sexual partners. He tries to engage the assistance of…
Read More