1. Why does Bertram refuse to marry Helena? 2. How is it possible that Helena is able to cure the king of France of his malady? 3. Why is Parolles considered to be a poor companion for Bertram? 4. What are the two “tasks” that Helena must accomplish before Bertram […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsWilliam Shakespeare Biography
Many books have assembled facts, reasonable suppositions, traditions, and speculations concerning the life and career of William Shakespeare. Taken as a whole, these materials give a rather comprehensive picture of England’s foremost dramatic poet. Tradition and sober supposition are not necessarily false because they lack proved bases for their existence. […]
Read more William Shakespeare BiographySummary and Analysis Act V: Scene 3
Summary The Countess begs the king to forgive her son, which he does at once, and he also confirms a match between Lafeu’s daughter (Maudlin) and Bertram. Bertram is quick to accept the king’s suggestion of a bride this time: King: You remember the daughter of this lord? Bertram: Admiringly, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 1-2
Summary Helena, the widow and Diana are in pursuit of the king, whom they know to have traveled to Marseilles. Once there, they learn from a gentleman that the king has left in haste for Rousillon. Helena asks him to speed ahead with a message for the king. In Rousillon, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scenes 1-2Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scenes 4-5
Summary Helena assures the widow and Diana that their help will be rewarded: ” . . . Heaven / Hath brought me up to be your daughter’s dower.” In other words, they will simply have to endure a bit longer until the plot reaches its end. In Rousillon, Lafeu comforts […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scenes 4-5Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 3
Summary Two French lords, the brothers Dumain, discuss Bertram’s situation briefly before he enters to witness their exposure of Parolles. They are aware of Bertram’s improprieties, including the deception of Helena (whom they presume to be dead, as rumor has it) and the “perversion” of Diana, “a young gentlewoman here […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2
Summary Bertram woos the widow’s daughter, Diana, with success, or so he thinks, and therefore he gives her his family ring as a token of their arranged meeting: Bertram: It is an honour, ‘longing to our house, Bequeathed down from many ancestors, Which were the greatest obloquy i’ th’ world […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1
Summary One of the French lords and a band of soldiers set a trap for Parolles as previously planned. They capture and blindfold him and speak in a hilarious nonsense language which he takes to be Russian — that is, “Throca movousus, cargo, cargo, cargo.” To save his life, Parolles, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act III: Scenes 6-7
Summary Several French lords prevail upon Bertram to let them prove that Parolles is a scoundrel unworthy of his company. They will set Parolles up to recapture a drum which he lost in battle (a military disgrace), then they will capture and blindfold him, and in Bertram’s presence, they will […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scenes 6-7Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 5
Summary The “old Widow of Florence,” her daughter Diana, and a girl named Mariana, a “neighbor to the Widow,” talk about the brave exploits of the “French Count” (Bertram), and about his wooing of Diana (through his intermediary, the “filthy officer” Parolles). Mariana warns Diana of Bertram’s and Parolles’ trickery […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 5