The enduring appeal of Shakespeare’s Falstaff

The New Year marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. This momentous occasion invites us to explore one of his most beloved characters, Sir John Falstaff. The wayward, hapless comic character was so popular that Shakespeare included him in three plays, and mentioned him in a fourth. He is emblematic of the playwright's timeless depiction of the human heart and condition.

Falstaff's most distinctive qualities are his mischievous audacity, animated scheming, and his comically inflated view of his ability to seduce women and deceive people without arousing suspicion or inciting revenge. Shakespeare's sympathetic portrayal of the character as a fallen but congenial rascal reverberates with audiences, who find his amusing follies refreshingly human.