Here Will Be an Abusing of God's Patience and the King's English: Robin, Simple and Rugby

Falstaff and Robin

Another of the many "threes" in Merry Wives, the young servants Robin, Peter Simple and John Rugby serve many purposes in the play. They obviously serve their masters and do their bidding; they serve Shakespeare's literary purpose of having the lower class demonstrate the folly of the upper class; they serve our production's purpose of having significant roles for children under the age of 13.

Robin is Falstaff's squire, his attendant. That means Robin essentially serves Bardolph, Pistol and Nym as well. And there is nothing but contempt for the four drunk adults. Robin, of the three young servant, most ably serves Shakespeare's intent of having the wisest of us all be them with the lowest station. Robin is forever fixing their blunders, and does so with the utmost contempt. But Robin's place in life is settled, at least until Falstaff essentially sells Robin to the Pages to win favor with Meg.

Robin and the merry wives

I have been careful to not say he or she when referring to Robin. Primarily, because the role could go to either a boy or girl. If the production stays more traditional, then casting a small boy would be best. If the production goes to the American West, then it could quite easily be a girl. Think Mattie Ross from True Grit. I'm a little bit in love with the idea of Robin thinking she's escaped from the 4 drunks only to find that when she is at the Pages, that Meg has dressed her as an actual girl in a frilly dress. And this would be a new low for Robin, who would be accustomed to wearing pants, a gun and riding a horse.

Robin is involved in other plays of the Henriad. The character first makes an appearance in Henry IV Part 2 and it's there that we first see the inklings of contempt that the servant has idiocy of the master. It's not nearly as broad as it is in Merry Wives, but it is there, and the role is used for comic effect in both. In Henry V, after Falstaff has died, Robin knows not what to do. He continues to follow Bardolph, Pistol and Nym and says rather insightful things about the three. Ultimately his turn in Henry V is far more poignant than the others as he is left behind trying to tend to matters when all others have died or failed.

Peter Simple, Slender and Anne

Peter Simple is nothing but a laugh riot on the other hand. Indentured to the ridiculous fop, Slender, Peter has far more wits about him than either his master or his master's uncle, Justice Shallow. He is a very sarcastic and caustic young man. And he must be a boy. When he goes to Dr. Caius' home, Quickly has to hide him in the closet so Caius doesn't suspect she's carrying on with a young man. Then, later when he goes to the Garter Inn, I think it might be nice for him to be interested in the ladies that work there. The comedy of this role will all come from the casting.

Dr. Cauis grabs Peter Simple while Rugby watches

John Rugby gets the shortest shrift of three young servant; however, Rugby does have one really great scene. I think Rugby will undoubtedly be cast as a girl, as it makes sense for Dr. Caius to hire women for his household (Rugby and Quickly). This girl must be a deft physical comedienne, as most of what Rugby does is physical; moving furniture, running back and forth, and fencing with Dr. Caius. Of course we'll have to change her name to Joan or Jane.

The fencing scene is key. Rugby must be a kid to show how ridiculous Dr. Caius is when he wants to fence with her. Then, adding to that the change from a male to a female character, and Caius' ridiculousness grows, especially as he wants to call her Jack instead of Joan or Jane. If the show goes Western, then I like the idea of Robin being a girl, more comfortable in the pants and role of a boy, while Rugby is a girl whose master wants to make her a boy.