# Scene IV explained — All’s Well That Ends Well

> Chapter companion for All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Helena speaks with the Clown about the Countess's health, then Parolles delivers Bertram's message that he must leave for a serious business, asking Helena to take her leave of the king and attend to Bertram's pleasure.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Parolles delivers Bertram's message with flowery language that masks the underlying rejection and compulsion.

### Gender and Power

Helena is expected to obey Bertram's commands, highlighting the power imbalance in their relationship.

## Character check-ins

### Helena

Receives news from Parolles about Bertram's departure and his commands.

### Lavache

Engages in witty banter with Helena and Parolles about the Countess's health.

### Parolles

Delivers Bertram's message to Helena, instructing her to take leave of the king.

## Key lines

> She is not well; but yet she has her health: she’s very merry; but yet she is not well: but thanks be given, she’s very well and wants nothing i’ the world; but yet she is not well.

The Countess is in good physical health and cheerful, but she is not truly well because she is still alive on earth rather than in heaven.

_The Clown's paradoxical speech humorously suggests that earthly life itself is a kind of illness._

> The great prerogative and rite of love, Which, as your due, time claims, he does acknowledge; But puts it off to a compell’d restraint; Whose want, and whose delay, is strew’d with sweets, Which they distil now in the curbed time, To make the coming hour o’erflow with joy And pleasure drown the brim.

Bertram acknowledges that he owes you the rights of love, but he postpones them due to urgent business; the delay is sweetened by anticipation, so that when the time comes, joy will be overwhelming.

_Parolles uses ornate language to soften the blow of Bertram's rejection and departure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters