Ford's Worst Enemy: Falstaff or Jealousy?

Ford: "Though what I am I cannot avoid, yet to be what I would not shall not make me tame. If I have horns to make one mad, let the proverb go with me-- I'll be horn mad." (Shakespear 73)

There are so many twists and different triangles of relationships going on in this play that its difficult to keep them all straight. Ford is obviously a very jealous character. He was already doubting his wife when an unproved rumor emerged from two men he didn't even know. Instead of trusting her or just straight out questioning her, he decides to disguise himself and attack his suspicions by working through the man his wife is supposedly in love with. I chose this quote because I liked how Ford admits that even if he hadn't by nature already been a jealous man, he still would be angry with what he has discovered.

Ford is so angry with what he believes he is going on behind his back, but he himself is working behind others as well. Even though Ford has been witness to enough evidence that would allow him to believe that Mrs. Page has also fallen in love with Falstaff, instead of trying to warn and convince his friend, Mr. Page, he tries to create a plan that would allow him to embarass his friend in the end. Ford thought that Mr. Page was an idiot for trusting his wife when the rumor of Falstaff falling in love with both of their wives first emerged. If only Ford had followed in Page's footsteps and trusted his wife, he wouldn't be running into the situations he has himself caught up in now. Because of his doubt, he now has witnessed the game that Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page are playing with Falstaff. Ford mistakeningly believes that the women actually love Falstaff when they are only trying to get revenge on him. Mr. Page, on the other hand, is completely unaware of the actions his wife is committing. This is for the better because he believes he can trust her, which he can. Ford's jealously is going to cause the downfall of his marriage and lead to problems with many other characters around him.