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All’s Well That Ends Well · Chapter

Scene III explained

The Duke of Florence appoints Bertram as general of his horse, and Bertram accepts the charge, vowing to prove himself a lover of war and a hater of love.

What happens

The Duke of Florence appoints Bertram as general of his horse, and Bertram accepts the charge, vowing to prove himself a lover of war and a hater of love.

Themes in this chapter

  • Honor and Reputation

    Bertram seeks honor through military service, accepting a command to prove his worth.

  • Love and Obsession

    Bertram explicitly rejects love, declaring himself a 'hater of love' as he commits to war.

Characters to notice

  • Bertram

    Appointed general of the horse by the Duke; vows to embrace war and reject love.

  • Parolles

    Present with Bertram and the soldiers before the Duke.

Key passages

  • “This very day, Great Mars, I put myself into thy file: Make me but like my thoughts, and I shall prove A lover of thy drum, hater of love.”

    Today I dedicate myself to the god of war; if my actions match my intentions, I will become a devoted soldier and reject romance.

    Bertram's declaration of allegiance to war over love, reinforcing his flight from Helena.

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