Summary With the Duke’s blessing, Bertram enters battle on behalf of the city state of Florence: “A lover of thy [Mars, god of War] drum, hater of love.” In Rousillon, the Countess learns that Helena has left France, where she was a religious pilgrim; thus, she sends a letter via […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scenes 3-4Summary and Analysis Act III: Scenes 1-2
Summary In twenty-three lines, Shakespeare introduces the city of Florence, Italy, to the play while that city’s duke puzzles aloud to a French nobleman about the king of France’s neutrality in the Italian wars. The French lord concurs: “Holy seems the quarrel / Upon your Grace’s part; black and fearful […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scenes 1-2Summary and Analysis Act II: Scenes 4-5
Summary Parolles interrupts Helena and the clown with a message from Bertram: Helena is to beg leave of the king, “strength’ned with what apology you think / May make it probable need,” and then to report back to Bertram. She “wait[s] upon his will.” In Scene 5, Lafeu tries to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scenes 4-5Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 3
Summary At first, Parolles, Bertram, and Lafeu are alone on stage, responding in awe to the healing of the king. Lafeu reads a report: “A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.” The king is quick to fulfill his promise, as he commands his noblemen to assemble before […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 2
Summary The Countess and her clown/servant, Lavache, discourse on the subject of the “court,” where he is shortly to be sent on an errand. Analysis This comical interlude has a threefold function: (1) as a bridge, (2) as an emotional and thematic gloss on the scenes either side of it, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 1
Summary In Paris, the king wishes his young warriors well as they leave for the Italian wars: ” . . . be you the sons! Of worthy Frenchmen . . . see that you come / Not to woo honor, but to wed it.” He adds a sly note to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3
Summary The clown Lavache begs the Countess for permission to marry Isbel for the simple reason that he is “driven on by the flesh.” The Countess listens to his facetious and cynical logic concerning marriage, and then playfully (though this will change), she remonstrates with him: “Wilt thou ever be […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2
Summary Bertram presents himself at court in Paris just as the king is bidding his soldiers to fight in the Italian wars. The sight of Bertram, Lafeu, and Parolles spurs memories of former days: I would I had that corporal soundness now, As when thy father and myself in friendship […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1
Summary At the opening of this play, the main figures of the plot are weighed down with thoughts of two recent deaths. “Young Bertram,” the Count of Rousillon (in France), has lost his father, as has Helena, the beautiful daughter of a famed physician, Gerard de Narbon, “whose skill was […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1Character List
Helena The daughter of a very famous, recently deceased court physician, Helena has the physical and mental attributes which could command the attention of virtually any eligible bachelor, but unfortunately, she does not have the correct social pedigree to entice the man whom she loves, Bertram, a Count’s son. Through […]
Read more Character List