All's Well That Ends Well story
All's Well That Ends Well is a play by William Shakespeare, published in the First Folio in 1623, where it is listed among the comedies. No records of the early performances of All's Well That Ends Well have been found. There is a debate regarding the dating of the composition of the play, with possible dates ranging from 1598 to 1608. The play is considered one of Shakespeare's "problem plays"; a play that poses complex ethical dilemmas that require more than typically simple solutions.
15 total · 1 choice · 8 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| unrequited love | choice | The plot was driven by Helena's hopeless love for Bertram, who was far above her and wanted nothing to do with her. |
| attitude of superiority | major | Bertram was arrogant and considered himself too high to marry Helena. |
| be careful what you wish for | major | Hellen wished to be married to Bertram but when she got her desire and Bertram was coerced into the union, she found herself in a hate-filled relationship and was soon abandoned. |
| courtly intrigues | major | The story concerned various going-ons and jousting for royal favor in the court of the French king. |
| cowardice | major | There was a subplot to expose Parolles as the boasting coward he was. |
| honor | major | Bertram wanted to win honor on the battlefield; Parolles was notably dishonorable and dishonored and remarked that there was still a comfortable life to be had. |
| husband and wife | major | Helena and Bertram were joined in holy matrimony. Their marriage was for many years unconsummated and troubled. |
| male lasciviousness | major | The story returned time and again to the idea that men lie and "assault women's maidenhood". |
| the desire for glory in battle | major | Especially Bertram was eager for to make his name in war and went of to become a famous warrior in Italy. |
| coping with being ill and indisposed | minor | The king complained at length about being bedridden. |