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Study Guide
Bibliography
Course Hero. "All's Well That Ends Well Study Guide." Course Hero. 22 Mar. 2018. Web. 20 May 2022. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Alls-Well-That-Ends-Well/>.
In text
(Course Hero)
Bibliography
Course Hero. (2018, March 22). All's Well That Ends Well Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved May 20, 2022, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Alls-Well-That-Ends-Well/
In text
(Course Hero, 2018)
Bibliography
Course Hero. "All's Well That Ends Well Study Guide." March 22, 2018. Accessed May 20, 2022. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Alls-Well-That-Ends-Well/.
Footnote
Course Hero, "All's Well That Ends Well Study Guide," March 22, 2018, accessed May 20, 2022, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Alls-Well-That-Ends-Well/.
Bertram's father dies, making the young man the new Count of Rossillion.
Act 1, Scene 1Bertram, called to court by the ailing king of France, says goodbye to his mother, the countess.
Act 1, Scene 1Helen, a doctor's daughter who has loved Bertram since childhood, follows him to Paris.
Act 1, Scene 3Using medicines left to her by her father, Helen cures the king of France.
Act 2, Scene 3As a reward, the king of France allows Helen to choose any man she wishes for her husband.
Act 2, Scene 3Helen chooses Bertram, who resents being forced to marry a woman from a lower class.
Act 2, Scene 3Bertram heads off to war before the marriage can be consummated, and Helen returns to Rossillion.
Act 2, Scene 5Helen receives a letter from Bertram explaining what she must do for him to consider her his wife.
Act 3, Scene 2Helen, worried for Bertram's safety, paves the way for him to come home by going on a pilgrimage.
Act 3, Scene 4In the Tuscan wars Bertram proves to be a good soldier and strong leader.
Act 3, Scene 5In Florence Helen meets Diana, a young noblewoman Bertram has been trying to seduce.
Act 3, Scene 5Helen obtains Bertram's ring and takes Diana's place in the girl's bed.
Act 5, Scene 3Helen spreads a rumor she has died from grief, and Bertram believes it.
Act 4, Scene 3Bertram returns to his home, only to be followed by Diana, who says he had promised to marry her.
Act 5, Scene 3The king of France, visiting Rossillion, interrogates Bertram and catches him in a web of lies.
Act 5, Scene 3Just as Bertram seems doomed, Helen appears with his ring and says she is pregnant with his child.
Act 5, Scene 3Bertram agrees to love Helen, everyone is satisfied, and "all's well that ends well."
Act 5, Scene 3| Scene | Summary |
|---|---|
| Act 1, Scene 1 | The play opens during a time of mourning. The Count of Rossillion has died, and his wife, the countess, and son Bertram ... Read More |
| Act 1, Scene 2 | This brief scene introduces the audience to the king of France, who appears to be not only a strong leader, but also a w... Read More |
| Act 1, Scene 3 | The action now returns to the court of the Countess of Rossillion. She is listening to the entreaties of Lavatch, the co... Read More |
| Act 2, Scene 1 | Act 2, Scene 1 returns the action to France, where the king of France is receiving oaths of loyalty from First Lord Duma... Read More |
| Act 2, Scene 2 | This brief scene between the countess and the fool provides the audience with the information the countess is sending th... Read More |
| Act 2, Scene 3 | Back in Paris, a miracle has occurred. Parolles, Lafew, and Bertram watch in astonishment as the king of France enters t... Read More |
| Act 2, Scenes 4–5 | This brief bridge scene and the one that follows show Bertram's plan being put in motion with Parolles's help. In Act ... Read More |
| Act 3, Scenes 1–2 | This brief scene introduces the audience to the war. The Duke of Florence, along with the French lord, First Lord Duma... Read More |
| Act 3, Scenes 3–4 | The Duke of Florence appears with Bertram and Parolles. Bertram has been named the "general of our horse," and the Duk... Read More |
| Act 3, Scene 5 | Act 3, Scene 5 takes place in Florence, Italy, and opens with townspeople congregating in the town square. Among them ar... Read More |
| Act 3, Scenes 6–7 | Bertram is having a rude awakening, thanks to First Lord Dumaine and Second Lord Dumaine, brothers who have befriended... Read More |
| Act 4, Scene 1 | The plan to capture Parolles is underway with the French lords and several soldiers waiting in ambush. They agree to spe... Read More |
| Act 4, Scene 2 | Bertram has come to Diana still hoping to win her affections—or, more truthfully, win his way to her bed. Referring to h... Read More |
| Act 4, Scene 3 | Act 4, Scene 3 begins with First Lord Dumaine and Second Lord Dumaine discussing what they have learned of Bertram's beh... Read More |
| Act 4, Scenes 4–5 | Helen brings the widow of Florence and Diana up to date on recent events, including the fact she has spread a rumor of... Read More |
| Act 5, Scenes 1–2 | Helen, the widow of Florence, and Diana arrive in Marseilles. Helen sees a gentleman she recognizes from the French co... Read More |
| Act 5, Scene 3 and Epilogue | The scene begins with a surprising conversation between Lafew, the countess, and the king of France. They are once aga... Read More |
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