Sir John Falstaff attempts to woo two married women simultaneously, setting off a chain of comedic deceptions and social maneuvering. In this operatic adaptation of Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, the protagonist seeks to secure his own financial gain through the seduction of Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. He faces opposition from the women themselves, who coordinate to expose his vanity, as well as the jealous interference of Master Ford. The narrative follows a traditional four-act structure, utilizing musical motifs to delineate the shifting power dynamics between the characters within the domestic setting of Windsor.

Discussion often centers on Vaughan Williams's ability to weave traditional English folk music into the operatic form. Readers and musicologists frequently highlight the work's lighthearted tone, which contrasts with the composer's more somber symphonic output. Critics note that the pacing effectively captures the farcical nature of the source material while maintaining a distinctively pastoral atmosphere. The work is often analyzed for its technical demands on the vocalists and the intricate orchestration required to balance the comedic elements with the lyrical passages.