Into the Woods grants viewers an exploration of morality which varies from what we’re
used to, and this is evident in characters such as the baker’s wife. From the beginning of the
musical, the morals of the baker’s wife (and her husband as well) are questionable to say the
least. However, the morality of the baker’s wife becomes even more controversial when she’s
on her own in the woods. Her moral standards are apparent in the songs that she performs
during act II. The songs illustrate her mindset when reasoning with the actions that she makes
throughout the musical.
Once the baker’s wife separated from her husband in the woods and experienced her
moment of intimacy with the prince, she sang the song “Moments in the Woods.” In the song the
baker’s wife sings,
What is it about the woods?
Back to life, back to sense, back to child, back to husband
You can’t live in the woods!
