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 and says, "Was this fair face the cause,' quoth she, / 'Why Grecians sacked Troy? / Fond done, fond done, / Was this King Priam's joy?'" This is a direct reference of Helena to Helen of Troy. The irony and misconception of this statement is comical when considered as the play goes on. Helen of Troy possessed beauty that drove men all over the world mad and their deaths were attained in their attempt to have her. Helena however finds that even her celestial beauty cannot woo the shallow heart of Bertram from his persistence of only fleshly desire that is free of connubial commitment. Even more, Helena is actually the sole cause of redeeming life for the dying King of France. Her concoction passed to her by her father saves the King from a certain and 'incurable' death.
Whether she is the bearer-of-light or the innocently fatal Helen of Troy, the fact that the entire play rests on her choice of action is undeniable. If she had given up pursuit of Bertram, then his deceit would have gone unnoticed and he would have lived through his wrongdoings to marry Lafew's daughter without consequence. Helena's pursuit to abide by the promises made in their wedding vows is unrelenting and shows a true willpower in her with the ability to see something in Bertram that is worth pursuing, even though all others see him as a coward and fool. Her grace and hospitality rule over all, and her innocence makes the audience nearly forget the small sins she did. She is not perfect. Through the play, she lies to the Countess in saying she does not wish to pursue her allure of Bertram. She pays off the widow to have the widow's daughter trick Bertram into bed in the dark, where she and Helena switch. These things might seem very wrong if others did them, but somehow, Helena seems justified.
Without Helena, there would be no story. Her absence would simply leave a tale where the King of France dies and all that would transpire thereafter. By attempting to resolve her love for Bertram in obligatory marriage by saving the King's life, Helena effectively sets into the motion the story that would finally end in her husband vowing to be a good husband, as questionable as it may seem. However, the true intent of her persistence through the play is still debatable-why would so angelic of a woman vie to be with a man that does not deserve to come within eyesight of her? This mysterious inquiry is what gives Helena yet another side, a deeper essence that the audience never quite pinpoints through the play but can only assume. Perhaps by her actions, she believes she can change Bertram, or make him a better man. Whatever the reason, her strong character makes the reader confident that she knows what to do and is doing the right thing, even if we can't immediately see what it is. Her good repute and pure character precedes any question of her action, not just for the reader, but also for a majority of the characters in the book.