falstaff

Thân thiện

Sir John Falstaff tells a humorous story to his companions in a tavern.

Definition

Proper noun A fictional character created by William Shakespeare, appearing primarily in the plays Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. He is famously portrayed as a cowardly, boastful, and comically dissolute knight, serving as a humorous foil to the more serious characters.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Prince Hal's most memorable companion in Shakespeare's history plays is Falstaff.
  • The actor delivered a brilliant performance as Falstaff, capturing the character's wit and gluttony.
  • Falstaff provides much of the comic relief in Henry IV, Part 1.

Advanced Usage

• "Falstaffian" (adjective): Exhibiting the qualities characteristic of Falstaff, such as boastfulness, joviality, corpulence, and a disregard for conventional morality.
  • The politician's Falstaffian charm won over the crowd, despite the serious nature of his speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Falstaffian (adj): Of, relating to, or resembling the character Falstaff.

Synonyms

• Rogue
• Vice figure (in the medieval morality play tradition)
• Boaster
• Sot (archaic for a habitual drunkard)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A Falstaffian figure": A phrase used to describe a person who is jovial, plump, and fond of drink and good company, often while being somewhat unscrupulous.
  • The retired general, with his enormous appetite for food and stories, was considered a Falstaffian figure at the club.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a dissolute character in Shakespeare's plays

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Falstaff
• Sir John Falstaff