by NikoRad

Created on: October 29, 2009

The character of Helena in Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well is one of the most curious heroines of any Shakespearian play. Her purity and innocent grace are riddled with actions partaken in by her that would seem wrong and immoral in most other instances-but her situation in this dark comedy almost justifies her actions so that she is unable to do any wrong, for she herself has been so wronged. Her character is not lacking in beauty and love, in grace and heritable motive, and yet the one man she loves will not love her back. And by this action against her desire, the reader is able to view a side of Helena that one might see as unfitting for such a lovely girl. The story falls somewhat in-between a tale of vengeful yet steadfast love and simply a fairy tale of passion. A happy conclusion is suggested but hard to believe for an audience that just witnessed the shifty events that transpired in the story. Helena is the pivot by which the story teeters vehemently back and forth, leaving the reader confused in a flurry of mixed emotions and hoping for a resolution that seems to never come.

Perhaps most interesting of Helena's character is the suggested allusions that her name makes and how these allusions can directly be tied to the story. Ervin Beck points out cleverly that the name most likely derives from the Greek word (and deity) "Helios" which means "the beam of light" or "the bright one." Helena can certainly be seen as shedding light on the play in multiple accounts-it is by her words that confusion is cleared up, the truth let out, and the plot deepened. She sheds light on the truth of Bertram's character to Diana when she eats with her and the widow, saying, " First, give me trust, the count he is my husband". As well, in the final scene, when she proves to Bertram that she has fulfilled her part of the deal he made by pulling out his letter, the entire play peaks at its climax with this revelation in front of the King - "'When from my finger you can get this ring/ And are by me with child,' / This is done:/ Will you be mine, now you are doubly won?" Her words are the lantern for the plot to use to navigate down its path to the play end.

If Helena can be seen as similar to the Greek god Helios, then even more interesting is the fact that she is directly referenced in the play to another allusion, or better said, an antonymic allusion. Sharon Yang comments on how ironic the Clown's words are in the play's third Act, when he speaks with the Countess

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