1-153-361 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Scene from Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1856-1858. William Shakespeare's comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor was first performed in 1597 or 1600. In this scene (Act 5 Sc 5) Falstaff, having been lured to a supposed assignation in Windsor Forest is being pinched and punched by 'fairies' and says; 'I do begin to perceive that I am made an ass'. Chromolithograph from an illustration by George Cruikshank from an edition of Shakespeare's works published in London, 1856-1858.