All's Well That Ends Well

Consider the obstacles to Helen’s love for Bertram. Does she get the marriage she wants?

The Countess has an important role but very few lines. Paying close attention to her speech, discuss what you consider to be her character’s motivation.

The King appears to pass judgment quickly. What devices does Helen use to convince him to try her treatment, and how is this interaction reflected in the King’s treatment of her throughout the play?

Analyze how the interplay of wealth and social class influence the characters’ experiences and interactions.

Women in the 16th and 17th centuries were expected to be obedient, patient, and dependent on men. How do the women in this play adhere to and subvert that expectation?

Look at the alliance between Helen, the Widow and Diana. What do they each risk and gain though their alliance, and what does this say about female power and its limits?

The play uses imagery and wordplay that conflates battle and sexual interactions. How do the men and women of the play use this language differently and what does this express about the experiences and roles defined by their genders?

Parolles is a significant character whose character arc and speeches trace the play’s narrative arc. How does his character help the play explore the nature of masculinity, its roles and expectations?