"With detailed notes from the world's leading center for Shakespeare studies"--Cover. Includes bibliographical references (pages 253-280).
Contents:
Editor's preface -- Shakespeare's All's well that ends well -- Reading Shakespeare's language: All's well that ends well -- Shakespeare's life -- Shakespeare's theater -- Publication of Shakespeare's plays -- An introduction to this text -- All's well that ends well: text of the play with commentary -- Longer notes -- Textual notes -- All's well that ends well: a modern perspective / David McCandless -- Further reading -- Key to famous lines and phrases.
Summary:
"Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well is the story of its heroine, Helen, more so than the story of Bertram, for whose love she yearns. Helen wins Bertram as her husband despite his lack of interest and higher social standing, but she finds little happiness in the victory as he shuns, deserts, and attempts to betray her. The play suggests some sympathy for Bertram. As a ward to the French king, he must remain at court while his friends go off to war and glory. When Helen cures the King, he makes Bertram available to her. To exert any control over his life, Bertram goes to war in Italy. Helen then takes the initiative in furthering their marriage, undertaking an arduous journey and a daring trick. Few today, however, see a fairy-tale ending"--Publisher's website.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.