If anyone has read some of Shakespeare’s plays you would understand that they sometimes tend to be a little confusing. He always seems to leave out so many little details, it’s almost as if he did that on accident. For one of my assignments in Shakespeare we were asked to write a paper on how certain lines and conversations contribute to the whole meaning of the play. It was an interesting assignment because I realized that the more you look at and concentrate on each individual line you will find that his plays are always giving hints of what is coming next. Although it is extremely clear that his plays leave out small details, what most people don’t realize is that we can find those details in a lot of lines, it is just up to us to actually seek and understand the real meaning behind those lines. Here is an essay on how certain lines in All’s Well that Ends Well contributes to the whole of the play.
Mandi Allen
Shakespeare short paper
10.16.09
Helena’s Determination
While reading Shakespeare’s plays there always seems to be a little confusion. What is he trying to portray in this part of the play? Why doesn’t he explain the little things that lead up to the big things? He does this to allow interpretation. However, a lot of the time it leaves us wondering why certain things happened, and what is going to happen next. In many of Shakespeare’s plays there are various problems, situations, or stories that are happening. Often times we don’t figure out these complex situations until they are placed right before our eyes. However, there are lines and speeches that sometimes propose the situations before they happen. It is up to us to identify the issue so we are able to relate certain lines or speeches to the whole story.
A discussion between Helena and the Countess in the play All’s Well That Ends Well is a perfect example how a simple conversation can point out one of the main situations in the play before it happens or is discussed. Helena is in love the Countess’s son Bertram and although he does not love her back she is determined to marry him. She eventually got what had wished. However, Bertram was cruel, dissatisfied and angry that he was being forced to marry a woman whom he did not love. A lot of the play revolves around this situation. Helena knows how Bertram feels yet she still continues to try and win his heart.
In the conversation between Helena and the Countess in Act 1 Scene 3, the Countess feels that she has been a mother to Helena. Surprised by the honesty of Helena she replies “ You are my mother, madam: ‘would you were (So that my lord, your son, were not my brother) Indeed my mother!--- or were you both our mothers, I care no more for than I do for heaven, So I were not his sister. Can’t no other, But, I your daughter, he must be my brother?” (1.3.160-165) The Countess replies “Yes, Helen, you might be my daughter in law” (1.3.166). This conversation is taking place prior to the engagement of Bertram and Helena. This type of discussion for girls is not astonishing. Most girls tend to dream of whom they are going to marry someday they fantasize that the man they love will love them back. Though this conversation is common for girls, this specific discussion between Helena and Countess is unusual: they are talking about it like it is going to happen. “ Nor would I have him till I do deserve him” Helena says (1.3.191). Helena’s determination to marry Bertram continues, she follows him and repairs the king because she knows she will be rewarded with what she wishes. Helana: to Bertram “ I dare not say I take you; but I give me, and my service, ever whilst I live, into your guiding power. –This is the man” (2.3.103-105).
Surprised by Helena’s choice Bertram is cruel. He feels that his wealthy and full life is too much to give a poor widowed woman such as Helena. “ I cannot love her, nor will strive to do’t” (2.3.145). Helana still in the room hears these harsh and unkind words. However, what is most surprising is she still thrives on marrying Bertram. How is it that a woman is willing to give her whole heart and service to a man that has such poor feelings towards her? Although Bertram expressed his feelings he was still forced to take her hand in marriage. “ It shall be so: I’ll send her to my house, acquaint my mother with my hate to her, and wherefore I am fled; write to the king that which durst not speak. His present gift shall furnish me to those Italian fields where noble fellows strike. War is no strife to the dark house and the detested wife” (2.3.286-292). Unhappy of his marriage he leaves Helena alone while he goes to Italy.
These lines are just a few out of many examples that explain and identify the determination of Helena and Bertram in the play. You can find the trail and confusion of their relationship throughout the entire play if you seek and interpret their small comments and put them into the big picture. Helena is willing to give all of her love to Bertram while he doesn’t have any love for her in return nor is willing to try. He is disappointing with his actions throughout the play: he is disrespectful, unfaithful, and overall doesn’t treat Helena with the respect she deserves. What is consequently interesting is the last scene of the play. It seems that this entire ordeal between Helena and Bertram comes to an end, but yet has no answers as to how it happened. At random Bertram changes his mind and in one line states his love for Helena. “If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly” (5.3.314-315). From the entire play to that last scene you would have never guessed this would have happened, no lines lead up to this drastic decision. Shakespeare’s plays are always going to leave you thinking, confused, asking that question once again, why doesn’t he explain the little things that lead up to the big things? He does you just have to look closer and find the deeper meaning of each line and you will find the answers the you have been seeking.
