Read All's Well That Ends Well

All’s Well That Ends Well sounds like a cheery little fairy tale, but this fairy tale is grim. This is Shakespeare writing with a sly grin and a raised eyebrow.

At its center is Helena, a clever, determined young woman who heals the King of France and earns the right to marry the man of her dreams.

Unfortunately, that man is Bertram, who greets this stroke of fortune by running away to Italy and loudly insisting he’d rather die than be married to her. Cue Helena’s dogged pursuit, Bertram’s increasingly ridiculous excuses, and a bed-trick so audacious it would make modern rom-com writers blush.

Around them, we get a parade of cynical soldiers, conniving clowns, and the endlessly quotable Parolles—a braggart so spectacularly foolish that even his own comrades can’t resist exposing him.

All’s Well revels in sharp contrasts: romance that’s unromantic, comedy with an acidic bite, and a heroine whose resolve makes the play both unsettling and fascinating. It’s not the sweet love story the title pretends it is—but it’s a deliciously crooked look at how desire, status, and stubbornness can twist “happily ever after” into something way more complicated.

+++++

Join us for our online reading of Shakespeare's All’s Well That Ends Well at 1:00 PM Saturday September 20 via Zoom.

Our recommended online text can be found at
https://shakespeare.folger.edu/shakespeares-works/alls-well-that-ends-well/

There will be a break halfway through, and a discussion of the play afterwards for those who wish to take part. If you are on the waitlist, you can join in the Zoom call to hear the other readers and participate in the discussion afterwards.

The Zoom link will be sent out to everyone on the Attendee and Wait lists the morning of the reading.

Host: Harry
Facilitator: HEW
Zoom host: TBD