All's Well That Ends Well Essay Questions

Why do many critics consider the title of this play ironic?

All's Well That Ends Well is a play about a major conflict between a couple, a conflict that is only resolved in the final moments of the play and that will likely leave audiences unsatisfied. Bertram's swift transformation into a dutiful husband seems to contradict everything readers know about his character already, and thus the assertion that "all's well that ends well" – that a happy ending is worth the adversity of the journey – is called into question at the end of the play. With Bertram's seemingly immediate change, the play casts Helena's "happy ending" as ultimately unrealistic and unsustainable.

Why is this work often considered one of the so-called “problem plays” of Shakespeare?

Inevitably, the play ends up being categorized as one of Shakespeare’s “comedies” but the inescapable truth is that it could very well have ended up as a tragedy. Only the ending (in which nobody dies) really succeeds in marking it among Shakespeare’s comedies since it lacks the distinct humor of other comic plots. Like Measure for Measure, the “problem” with this play is that it makes it way down through some very dark narrative passageways before ending on an optimistic note. And, as suggested, even that ending is hardly satisfying to an audience who has witnesssed nothing but conflict for the majority of the play.

What makes Helena the protagonist of the play?

It becomes clear early on in the play that Helena, the daughter of the late doctor and the ward of the Countess, is the protagonist of the play. Not only is she virtuous and clever, but she fervently pursues Bertram even when faced with the obstacle of their differing social classes. While the Victorian era may have labeled Helena as too aggressive or even predatory, her character trajectory is one of triumph over otherwise confining social delineations. Helena represents the opportunity available to others to transcend their social station through work, love, virtue, and cleverness.

Parolles is often critiqued as one of the most poorly crafted Shakespearean characters. Why is this the case?

All's Well That Ends Well has never been a popular play with critics or audiences. However, Parolles in particular has troubled theater and literary critics since the play's original performances. This is likely due to the fact that Parolles has all the unwarranted boastfulness of a fan favorite like Sir John Falstaff with none of the wit or endearing charm. Whereas fans flocked to the playhouses to see Falstaff speak truth to power, Parolles is simply a deceptive and scheming narcissist who pays for his duplicity by the end of the play.

Is this play a feminist play? Why or why not?

Readers should always be cautious when labeling a text from the early modern play "feminist," as this is a relatively contemporary term that was not in use during the English Renaissance. However, that said, the play does possess some proto-feminist elements, most notably: a female protagonist who pursues a male lover, a woman transcending her social station on her own, and a handful of female alliances that benefit the women of the play. These female-centric elements of the play have garnered more interest in All's Well That Ends Well in recent years, as critics question whether these proto-feminist ideas are presented genuinely or ironically.