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

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

## What happens

Helena reassures the Widow and Diana of her noble connections and reveals her plan to travel to Marseilles, where the King of France is. She explains that she is believed dead and intends to return home before her husband Bertram. Diana agrees to assist Helena in her scheme, and Helena reflects on the deceptive nature of lust and the hope that all will end well.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Helena's plan relies on the false report of her death and the bed trick, highlighting the theme of deception to achieve a desired outcome.

### Love and Obsession

Helena's relentless pursuit of Bertram, despite his rejection, underscores the obsessive nature of her love.

## Character check-ins

### Helena

Helena reveals her plan to travel to Marseilles and explains her supposed death and intention to return home before Bertram.

### Widow Capilet

The Widow expresses her trust and willingness to assist Helena.

### Diana

Diana agrees to follow Helena's instructions and suffer in her behalf.

## Key lines

> One of the greatest in the Christian world / Shall be my surety; 'fore whose throne 'tis needful, / Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel: / Time was, I did him a desired office, / Dear almost as his life; which gratitude / Through flinty Tartar's bosom would peep forth, / And answer, thanks

A very powerful Christian ruler will vouch for me; I need to kneel before his throne before I can complete my plans. I once did him a favor that was almost as precious as his life, and even a heartless Tartar would feel gratitude and thank me for it.

_Helena reassures the Widow of her connection to the King of France, hinting at the cure she performed earlier._

> But, O strange men! / That can such sweet use make of what they hate, / When saucy trusting of the cozen'd thoughts / Defiles the pitchy night: so lust doth play / With what it loathes for that which is away.

Oh, how strange men are! They can take pleasure in what they despise, when their deceived thoughts lead them to defile the dark night. Lust toys with what it detests, mistaking it for something else that is absent.

_Helena reflects on Bertram's willingness to sleep with Diana while believing he is avoiding Helena, illustrating the theme of lust and deception._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-iv-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