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All's Well That Ends Well

All’s Well That Ends Well is a play by William Shakespeare. It was first published in 1623, though there is no clear information about when it was composed. In fact, it is one of the lesser-known plays of Shakespeare’s era. The blend of fairy tale logic, gender role reversals, and other elements didn’t appeal to the audience from that period. The play became popular in the subsequent centuries and is still performed by different theater companies.

All’s Well That Ends Well is categorized as a problem play where characters face ethical dilemmas, and the solutions are not straightforward. It is a dark comedy with an array of characters set in France and Italy in the 17th century.

Plot Synopsis

Helena is a poor ward of a French-Spanish countess. She loves the countess’ son Bertram, but he doesn’t like her because of her low status and lack of money. When Bertram goes to Paris to replace his dead father in the king’s court, Helena follows behind. She promises to cure the king using her healer skills and strikes a bargain.

When she cures the king, Helena has the right to choose a husband of her choice, and she picks Bertram. He doesn’t agree to marry but is forced to do so by the king. Enraged by this, Bertram leaves for Italy immediately without even bothering to say goodbye to Helena. He also states that he will marry Helena only when she has his child and wears the family ring. Helena goes back to the countess who adopts her and is angry at her son’s actions.

Bertram becomes a successful warrior and seducer in Italy. Helena goes to Italy and befriends Diana, the girl Bertram is currently courting. With Diana’s help, Helena gets Bertram’s ring and takes her place in bed to consummate her wedding. Then Helena fakes her death. Bertram is relieved and goes home to marry a local lord’s daughter. Diana arrives on time to expose him. Helena also makes an appearance to explain what happened and prove that she fulfilled his challenge.

Bertram is impressed by her smartness and declares his love for her, thus justifying the title, All’s Well That Ends Well. The play also has a subplot with court politics involving Bertram and his friend. The earliest record of the play’s performance is traced back to 1741 at Goodman's Fields Theater in Whitechapel, London.