William Shakespeare (1564—1616) was an English poet, playwright, and actor, considered by many as the greatest English writer. Hundreds of specialists were able to translate his works into every major language, and most of the plays are performed more often than those of any other author. "The Merry Wives of Windsor" is a five-act comedy the action of which takes place in the city of Windsor and its environs. It also features Sir John Falstaff, the fat knight who also was one of the characters in both parts of "Henry IV." Nominally set in the reign of Henry IV, this play is the only one where the action doesn't shy away from the fact that it takes place in the Queen Elizabeth era, and most of the characters are representatives of the middle class of English society.