The Merry Wives of Windsor, first published in 1602, has always been one of Shakespeare's most popular plays. The reason for this is easy to understand: it is essentially a play of intrigues based on the timeless theme of plots made against other which then misfire against the plotter. The action is lively and often hilariously funny and is carried out by some of the most highly individualised characters Shakespeare ever invented - the jealous husband, the choleric Frenchman, the gossp who sees herself as a matchmaker.