All's Well That Ends Well
(William Shakespeare)
Helena, the daughter of a physician, lives among her
father?s patient, the Countess of Rousillon and her son,
Bertram. She has secretly loved Bertram for years and when
he departs for the king?s court, she follows him there.
Bertram, however, is an arrogant and conceited youth who
thinks only of rank and can see no charm in the lovely and
wise Helena. After arriving in the King?s court, Helena
ends up in the king?s favor after she helps him recover
from his illness with her medical skills she learned from
her father. The king grants Helena the reward of being able
to marry whoever she wishes. When Helena asks for the hand
of Bertram, it is granted. Bertram, appalled by these
events, feels that he must marry her at the insistence of
the king. However, as soon as the wedding is over, the
duplicitous Bertram runs away to the wars in Florence and
declares that he will never be with her unless she wears
his ring and becomes pregnant with her child.
Though Bertram?s mother the Countess treats Helena like her
child and wishes her all the joy and benefits that can be
bestowed upon a daughter-in-law, the despondent Helena
finds herself in a horrible position. Still in love with
Bertram despite his ill treatment, she also is both wife
and no wife. Unable to be free to forget her cruel husband,
and yet certain of never actually having him as her own,
she leaves in disguise for Florence to find him and win him
back.
Upon arriving in Florence, Helena finds that her husband,
though too proud to marry such a low born woman as herself,
feels no shame in attempting to seduce a low born maid,
Diana. Diana, though low born, remains virtuous and refuses
to give up her chastity for a devious soldier. Helena
convinces Diana and her mother to help her regain her
husband. Diana agrees to flirt with Bertram and get him to
meet her at a clandestine and dark place where they can
consummate the affair. Unluckily for Bertram, it is not
Diana who arrives at the rendezvous but Helena and the fair
lady finally wins her unworthy lord. Bertram finds his
previous stipulations have been carried out and Helena,
both pregnant and with his ring, returns to Rousillon with
her husband in tow.
Resumos Relacionados
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Midsummer Night's Dream
- Shakespear- Mid Summer Night's Stream
- Helena
- Helena
|
|
