The Principal Characters in <i>The Merry Wives of Windsor</i>

Leslie's Principal Characters in The Merry Wives of Windsor depicts the ensemble of Shakespeare's comedy set in middle-class Windsor — the wives who outwit Falstaff, the jealous husband Ford, the romantic subplot of Anne Page. The Merry Wives was unusual among Shakespeare's plays in its middle-class domestic setting and its celebration of female intelligence and domestic virtue against masculine foolishness. Leslie's ensemble paintings of theatrical characters — gathering multiple figures from a play in a single composition — reflected his deep knowledge of the theatrical tradition and his ability to visualize literary characters as specific physical presences rather than mere textual entities.

The multi-figure composition arranges the characters in theatrical groupings that clarify their relationships. Leslie's handling of varied expressions and costumes demonstrates his skill at managing complex narrative scenes.