All's
Well That Ends Well -- Spring 2007
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| All's
Well soldiering on! |
All’s
Well That Ends Well has typically been characterized
as one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays”. So named,
this group of plays generally share common dramatic inconsistencies
which confound convenient classification and are not present in the
more straightforward comedies or tragedies. Consequently, the play
thus remains lesser known and infrequently performed as opposed to
more popular choices in the Canon.
Events of the
play largely revolve upon the theme of class distinctions, which in
Shakespearean times were usually quite fixed. There was little social
advancement available for the lower classes to better their conditions,
and no advantage for the upper ones to marry below their rank. At
the start of the play, we find Helena, the orphaned daughter of a
skilled physician, serving as a gentlewoman in the household of the
Countess of Rossillion. Helena, virtuous and strong-willed, has grown
up alongside the Countess’ son, Bertram, quietly cultivating
an unrequited love for him. The astute Countess perceives Helena’s
fondness for Bertram, ultimately uncovering her secret affection.
But the progressive Countess does not espouse the idea of fixed fates,
rather welcoming the idea of Helena as her daughter-in-law. Through
the Countess’ encouragement and support, Helena embarks upon
her fairytale task to cure the King and capture the heart of Bertram
as fair exchange.
Successfully meeting
her challenge and accomplishing the miracle cure, Helena is granted
suit of a noble husband by the King and chooses Bertram as her prize.
Far from being delighted with the distasteful thought of marrying
beneath him, Bertram vociferously protests the decision, defying royal
command. Only when threatened with banishment does he sullenly relent
and accept the King’s order. Helena and Bertram are quite abruptly
(and rather unhappily) married on the spot.
Encouraged by
his n’eer-do-well comrade, Parolles, Bertram devises a plan
to slip the noose of his arranged marriage by stealing off to the
foreign wars to test his fortunes. He manages to distinguish himself
in battles, earning some grand note of the local populace. Helena,
left behind in Rossillion, learns of his flight by letter, and faulting
herself, embarks on a pilgrimage of penitence. Where should she wind
up, but in the same town where Bertram is stationed, and acquainted
with the same maiden he now woos! Meanwhile, the old lord Lafew has
pegged Parolles as an opportunistic rogue and coward, and the young
lords and soldiers hatch a plot to determine exactly how far his loyalty
may be trusted. (Answer: not far).
Fate (and a healthy
dose of wily pragmatism) conspire and collude to bring husband and
wife together in the end, and all is well... or is it??
