Shakespeare | All’s Well That Ends Well | A Review
Shakespeare’s ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’-A Review
“All’s Well That Ends Well” is a play written by William Shakespeare, believed to have been composed between 1604 and 1605. It is a complex play that deals with themes of class, gender, power, and love. The play follows the story of Helena, a low-born woman who is in love with the Count Bertram, a young nobleman. Despite the fact that he does not reciprocate her feelings, Helena sets out to win his heart by any means necessary, even if it means resorting to deceit and trickery.
The play is considered one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays,” as it is not easily categorized as a comedy or a tragedy. The plot is complex and the characters are multi-dimensional, making it difficult to fully understand the play’s tone and message. The play has also been criticized for its ambiguous ending, which leaves many questions unanswered.
One of the most intriguing aspects of “All’s Well That Ends Well” is the character of Helena. She is a strong, determined woman who is willing to go to great lengths to get what she wants. At the same time, she is also deeply flawed, as she manipulates and deceives those around her to achieve her goals. Helena’s character is a reflection of the power dynamic between men and women in Shakespeare’s time, and her struggle to be accepted as an equal is a central theme of the play.
The character of Count Bertram is also fascinating, as he represents the arrogance and entitlement of the aristocracy. Despite being the object of Helena’s affection, Bertram is dismissive and condescending towards her, seeing her as beneath him. His character arc is interesting to watch, as he learns to appreciate Helena’s qualities and the value of humility and compassion.
The play’s supporting characters are also well-developed, particularly Parolles, a boastful and cowardly soldier who serves as Bertram’s confidant. Parolles is a comic relief character, but he also serves to highlight the play’s themes of deceit and betrayal. The other characters, including Helena’s father, the King of France, and the Countess of Rossillion, all play important roles in the story, adding depth and complexity to the plot.
The play’s language is typical of Shakespeare, with beautiful prose and clever wordplay. The play’s themes are universal, and it is a testament to Shakespeare’s skill as a writer that the play remains relevant and engaging even today.
In conclusion, “All’s Well That Ends Well” is a fascinating play that is sure to captivate anyone interested in Shakespearean literature. While its ambiguous ending and complex characters may leave some viewers unsatisfied, the play’s themes and language make it a worthwhile read or watch. It is a story of love, deceit, and the struggle for power, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who experiences it. 0 0 0.
Shakespeare | All’s Well That Ends Well | A Review
N. B. This article ‘Shakespeare | All’s Well That Ends Well | A Review’ originally belongs to the book ‘Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
- World Short Story Criticism
- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD)
- Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works …
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