The aging and corpulent Sir John Falstaff, trying to prove that he is still a ladies' man, sends identical love letters to Frau Fluth and Frau Reich. When the husbands discover the letters, Herr Fluth is suspicious of Falstaff, but Herr Reich is more concerned that his daughter Anna marry Spärlich, his favorite of her many suitors. The wives, with no intention of being seduced by Falstaff, hide him in a laundry basket when Herr Fluth arrives and then dump him into a pond. The jealous Herr Fluth, intent on catching his wife with Falstaff, goes to a nearby town where he pays Falstaff to meet once again with her. On his next visit, Falstaff narrowly escapes, disguised in an old woman's clothes. After the husbands learn of their wives' pranks, the four set out to play a final trick on Falstaff; dressed as fairies and hobgoblins, the group lures Falstaff into the forest and frightens him. Anna then arrives, having just married Fenton, her favorite suitor, and everyone celebrates the marriage.