# Host of the Garter — The Merry Wives of Windsor character guide

> Host of the Garter in The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Host, Host Mockwater

**First appearance:** 0004-act-i-scene-iii

## Snapshot

The jovial, meddling innkeeper of the Garter, who greets every arrival as 'bully-rook' and treats Windsor's quarrels as his personal entertainment.

## Who they are

The Host presides over the Garter Inn, where Falstaff lodges and where much of Windsor's gossip and scheming passes through his taproom. He loves a fray — arranging the absurd duel between the Welsh parson and the French doctor, and cheerfully stirring the town's rivalries for the sport of it. His meddling keeps the subplots spinning and gives the play its tavern heartbeat, a reminder that in Windsor even the mischief has a host.

## In the story

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Agrees to employ Bardolph as a tapster, speaking in playful, grandiose terms.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Arranges a duel between Evans and Caius; agrees to help Ford disguise himself.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Arranges to bring Doctor Caius to Anne Page, using wordplay and persuasion.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

The Host is suspicious of the Germans' request and plans to overcharge them for the horses.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v)

Anxious about his horses being stolen by cozeners, and interacts with Simple and Falstaff.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vi)

Initially reluctant but agrees to assist Fenton by procuring a vicar for the secret wedding.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/characters/host_of_the_garter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merry_wives_of_windsor_se/characters