Falstaff facts for kids

This page is about the Shakespearean character. For the opera by Verdi see Falstaff (opera)

Adolf Schrödter: Falstaff and his page

Sir John Falstaff is a funny and well-known fictional character created by William Shakespeare. He appears in three of Shakespeare's plays. In two of the Henry IV plays, he is a close friend of Prince Hal. Prince Hal later becomes King Henry V.

Falstaff is known for being very large. He often thinks he is very important and loves to brag about himself. However, he is also quite afraid of danger. Falstaff often gets Prince Hal into trouble with his playful and sometimes mischievous actions. When Prince Hal becomes king, Falstaff is sadly pushed away.

Falstaff is a very funny character. But Shakespeare also uses him to share important ideas about people. For example, before a battle in Henry IV, Falstaff explains why being brave in battle might not be worth it. He says that "honor" won't stop people from calling him a coward if he runs away. He also says it won't help him if he gets hurt. This shows his clever way of thinking, even if it seems like an excuse for being afraid.

Falstaff also appears in another play called The Merry Wives of Windsor. In this play, he tries to trick two married women, but they are too smart for him!

Falstaff in Music and Art

Falstaff's character has inspired many musicians to create works about him.

• Carl Otto Nicolai wrote an opera called Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor in 1849.
• Verdi created an opera called Falstaff. This opera is based on The Merry Wives of Windsor. Many people think it is one of Verdi's best operas.
• Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote an opera called Sir John in Love between 1924 and 1928.
• The famous composer Edward Elgar wrote a wonderful piece for orchestra called "Falstaff." He described it as a "symphonic study."

It is possible that Shakespeare based Falstaff on a real person. Many ideas have been discussed over the years. However, no one knows for sure who Shakespeare might have had in mind when he created this memorable character.

Images for kids

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  Mistress Page and Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor, staged by Pacific Repertory Theatre in 1999.

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  An 1829 watercolor by Johann Heinrich Ramberg showing Falstaff pretending to be the king.

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  Falstaff with a companion in the Boar's Head tavern, an illustration by Eduard von Grützner.

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  Falstaff rebuked, by Robert Smirke, around 1795.

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  Falstaff at Herne's Oak, from "The Merry Wives of Windsor," Act V, Scene v, by James Stephanoff, 1832.

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  Eduard von Grützner: Falstaff mit großer Weinkanne und Becher (Falstaff with big wine jar and cup, 1896).

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  Falstaff, part of Ronald Gower's Shakespeare memorial in Stratford-upon-Avon.

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  Stephen Kemble, known for being an excellent Sir John Falstaff on stage.

See also

In Spanish: Falstaff para niños