The Bill / Shakespeare Project

When we left the All’s Well That Ends Well plot summary at the end of Act Three, Helena had come up with a plan to use Bertram’s attempted seduction of the virgin Diana against him: the capturing of his ring, and replacing Diana in her bed with herself. Act Four begins with the French lords preparing their ambush of Parolles in hopes of proving his cowardice.

Continue reading “All’s Well That Ends Well: Act Four plot synopsis”

When we left the All’s Well That Ends Well plot summary at the end of Act Two, Helena had married (by kingly force) to the man she loves, only to be abandoned by this Bertram, who vowed never to consummate the marriage and had left for the Tuscan wars. When Act Three, Scene One begins, we find ourselves in a new location: Florence, Italy, where its duke discusses the current war with some of his lords.

While Florence feels that his cause is “holy” (III.i.4), he wonders why the French king has not sent soldiers. On the other hand, “the younger of (Florence’s) nature” (III.i.17) are travelling there to help (think of “all the youth of England are on fire” in Henry V). I wonder who’s part of that band of soldiers? </sarcasm>

Continue reading “All’s Well That Ends Well: Act Three plot synopsis”

When we left the All’s Well That Ends Well plot summary at the end of Act One, Helena had decided–with the Countess’ blessing–to venture to Paris to attempt to cure the King of France with medicines left to her by her late father. The second (and longest) act of the play begins in the court of France where some of the younger lords have decided to leave to fight in Italy against the army of Savoy. The King is more concerned with these young men becoming “captives” (II.i.21) to “those girls of Italy” (II.i.19), rather than with their deaths.

Continue reading “All’s Well That Ends Well: Act Two plot synopsis”

As we do with all plays, let’s begin our discussion with an overview of the narrative. As we begin our All’s Well That Ends Well plot summary, it is in time of mourning (“all (characters) in black” [opening stage direction]), and its opening line carries more death tidings: “In delivering my son from me, I bury a second husband” (I.i.1-2). The speaker is the otherwise nameless Countess of Rossillion. And we immediately hear from her son:

Continue reading “All’s Well That Ends Well: Act One plot synopsis”

Time to begin…

All’s Well That Ends Well

Let’s hope this is a more enjoyable experience (overall) than Troilus and Cressida (which wasn’t much fun until almost the end of our two month look).