All’s Well That Ends WellAll’s Well That Ends Well
Contents
Characters in the Play
Entire Play
In All’s Well That Ends Well, a woman is given in marriage to the man she longs for, but, because she…
Act 1, scene 1
Bertram, having become a ward of the court upon his father’s death, departs from Rossillion. Helen, whose own physician-father has…
Act 1, scene 2
The King of France refuses to take sides in the war between Siena and Florence, giving his courtiers permission to…
Act 1, scene 3
Bertram’s mother, the Countess of Rossillion, learns of Helen’s love for Bertram and forces Helen to confess this secret. When…
Act 2, scene 1
The King bids farewell to the French courtiers going off to war, having commanded Bertram to remain behind. Helen arrives…
Act 2, scene 2
The Countess sends the Fool to the court with a letter for Helen.
Act 2, scene 3
Having cured the King, Helen is given several courtiers from whom to choose a husband as her reward. When she…
Act 2, scene 4
Parolles brings Helen word that Bertram is leaving for Tuscany and that she is to get permission from the King…
Act 2, scene 5
Bertram is warned that Parolles is an untrustworthy coward. Bertram gives Helen a letter and instructs her to go immediately…
Act 3, scene 1
The Duke of Florence greets French courtiers who have come to fight on his side.
Act 3, scene 2
The Fool returns to Rossillion with a letter from Bertram that tells the Countess of his plan to run away…
Act 3, scene 3
Bertram is put in command of the Duke of Florence’s cavalry.
Act 3, scene 4
The Countess is given the letter left for her by Helen, in which Helen sets out her intention to make…
Act 3, scene 5
Helen, on her pilgrimage, meets Diana, whom Bertram has been attempting to seduce.
Act 3, scene 6
The French lords in Florence decide that Parolles’ unhappiness about the loss of the troop’s drum can be used as…
Act 3, scene 7
Helen enlists Diana’s mother in contriving to meet Bertram’s conditions. Diana will agree to sleep with Bertram on the condition…
Act 4, scene 1
Parolles is captured and blindfolded by a French lord and soldiers pretending to be the enemy who can speak to…
Act 4, scene 2
Diana agrees to lie with Bertram after he reluctantly gives her his ancestral ring.
Act 4, scene 3
News comes to the Duke of Florence’s court that Bertram’s wife has died while on pilgrimage. When Bertram enters, he…
Act 4, scene 4
Helen sets out with Diana and Diana’s mother to seek the King of France in Marseilles.
Act 4, scene 5
The Countess, who has learned of Helen’s death, receives word that the King of France is approaching Rossillion and then…
Act 5, scene 1
Helen finds herself unable to petition the King because he has already departed for Rossillion.
Act 5, scene 2
Parolles arrives at Rossillion and persuades Lafew to take him into his service.
Act 5, scene 3
The King forgives Bertram and agrees to a marriage between Bertram and Lafew’s daughter. Bertram gives Lafew a ring, which…
Act 5, epilogue
⌜EPILOGUE⌝
The King’s a beggar, now the play is done.
All is well ended if this suit be won,
That you express content, which we will pay,
With strift to please you, day exceeding day.
5 Ours be your patience, then, and yours our parts.
Your gentle hands lend us, and take our hearts.
All exit.
