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F
ollowing the death of his
father, Bertram must leave
for the court. The Countess
and Lafeu discuss the King’s
illness, and wish that the physician
Gérard de Narbonne, was still alive
to cure him. Narbonne’s daughter,
Helen, weeps—but for Bertram’s
departure not for the death of her
father. The Countess learns of
Helen’s passion for her son.
War has broken out between the
dukedoms of Florence and Siena. The
King of France refuses to send troops,
but gives permission for his young
noblemen to fight on either side.ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
Lafeu introduces a disguised Helen
to the court. She promises that if
she fails to cure the King, she will
willingly be put to death, but if she
succeeds, the King must give her
a husband of her choice. The King
is restored to health, and presents
Helen with four lords as potential
husbands. She chooses Bertram,
who is disgusted at the idea of being
married to a physician’s daughter.
Bertram capitulates, but he refuses
to consummate the marriage. He
runs off to the Florentine wars with
Paroles. In letters to his mother and
Helen, he insists that he will onlyDRAMATIS
PERSONAEHelen Orphan under the care
of the Countess of Roussillon.
She is in love with Bertram,
son of the countess.Bertram, Count of
Roussillon An ambitious
young man, ward of the King.The Countess of Roussillon
Bertram’s widowed mother,
also guardian to Helen.The King of France
He begins the play suffering
from an incurable illness.Lafeu An elderly lord, who
struggles to understand the
younger generation.Paroles Bertram’s friend, a
renowned soldier, but secretly
a coward and a liar, who is
revealed to be ready to betray
everyone to avoid torture.Lavatch A gloomy, bad-
tempered clown, servant to
the Countess of Roussillon.The Duke of Florence
At war with his brother, the
Duke of Siena.Diana A Florentine virgin,
pursued by Bertram.The Widow Diana’s mother,
who is eager to help Helen.Reynaldo The Countess’s
steward, who prepares a letter
from the Countess to her son
in Paris.The Dumaine brothers
French lords who ambush and
interrogate Paroles, making
him believe that he has been
captured by the enemy.Act 1 Act 2
2.1
2.3
1.1
1.3
3.1
As the lords leave for
the wars, Bertram is
angry at being forced
to stay behind. Helen
appears in disguise
before the King and
offers to cure him.Bertram leaves his
widowed mother to join
the King of France.The Countess
discovers Helen’s
love for Bertram.
Helen reveals her
plan to cure the
King using one of
her father’s drugs.The Duke of Florence
welcomes the French
lords who have
volunteered to fight.The King is cured. Helen chooses
Bertram as her husband, much to
Bertram’s disgust. He decides to
run off to the Florentine wars.