The Merry Wives of Windsor · Character

Anne Page

Windsor's most courted daughter, whose hand, fortune, and fairy costume make her the quiet prize everyone in the play is scheming to win.

major

Also known as Mistress Anne Page, fair Mistress Anne, Nan Page, pretty Mistress Anne, Nan

First appearance: Scene I

As a major figure in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Anne Page is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Brings wine and is courted by Slender; she is the object of marriage negotiations.

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Anne Page is the marriageable center of Windsor's comic economy: her grandfather's seven hundred pounds and her father's estate make her desirable, while her own preference remains the one thing suitors and parents keep overlooking. She is pulled between her mother's choice, her father's choice, and her own, and her masked role among the fairies at Herne's Oak lets her move through the play's nocturnal mischief without being anyone's fool. Her decision quietly determines which plotline actually ends in a wedding.

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See Anne Page in Scene I

Character Web

20 connections

A slice of how Anne Page sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Social
Friendship
Romantic
Family

Character groups

Windsor townspeople and suitors
Protagonist

+15 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene represents the dramatic climax because it forces Anne Page into a direct emotional and psychologica…

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Relationships

Sir John Falstaff
psychological · negative
Falstaff attempts to seduce Anne for her money, but she outwits him and treats him as a… How this plays out →
Master Ford
social · positive
Sir Hugh Evans
friendship · positive
Doctor Caius
romantic · negative
Master Page
family · ambivalent
Justice Shallow
social · positive
Master Fenton
romantic · positive
Master Ford
social · positive
Sir John Falstaff
psychological · negative
Falstaff attempts to seduce Anne for her money, but she outwits him and treats him as a… How this plays out →
Master Page
family · ambivalent
Doctor Caius
romantic · negative
Sir Hugh Evans
friendship · positive

Sir John Falstaff
Falstaff attempts to seduce Anne for her money, but she outwits him and treats him as a comic nuisance.
Master Ford
Anne is the daughter of Master Ford's friend Page, and Ford interacts with her as a neighbor and potential pawn in his schemes.
Sir Hugh Evans
Sir Hugh Evans is Anne's Welsh tutor and a kindly mentor who supports her education and well-being.
Doctor Caius
Doctor Caius is a suitor for Anne's hand, but she rejects his advances, and he is a rival to Fenton.
Master Page
Master Page is Anne's father, who wants her to marry Doctor Caius, creating conflict with her own wishes.
Justice Shallow
Justice Shallow is a local magistrate and acquaintance of the Page family, with no deep personal bond to Anne.
Master Fenton
Master Fenton is Anne's true love, and they secretly marry against her parents' wishes.
Master Ford
Anne is the daughter of Master Ford's friend Page, and Ford interacts with her as a neighbor and potential pawn in his schemes.
Sir John Falstaff
Falstaff attempts to seduce Anne for her money, but she outwits him and treats him as a comic nuisance.
Master Page
Master Page is Anne's father, who wants her to marry Doctor Caius, creating conflict with her own wishes.
Doctor Caius
Doctor Caius is a suitor for Anne's hand, but she rejects his advances, and he is a rival to Fenton.
Sir Hugh Evans
Sir Hugh Evans is Anne's Welsh tutor and a kindly mentor who supports her education and well-being.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Anne Page in Scene I

In the story

Anne Page appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I
Brings wine and is courted by Slender; she is the object of marriage negotiations.
Scene II
Mentioned as the object of Slender's desires.
Scene IV
Resists her father's choice of Slender, preferring Fenton, and seeks her mother's support.
Scene IV
Mentioned as the daughter who will be Queen of the Fairies, and is the object of both Slender's and Caius's marriage plots.
Scene VI
Referenced as the object of Fenton's affection; she has secretly agreed to elope with him despite her parents' schemes.
Scene IV
Present among the fairies, wearing red, black, grey, green, and white.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Anne Page unlock in the free preview.

See Anne Page in Scene I