SHAKESPEARE PAPER - Essay Example

All is well that ends well-William Shakespeare According to me, I would ify all’s well that ends well by Shakespeare under tragedy. This is because this work portrays several instanced of tragedy. For example, the first Act of the play tells us that Count Bertram had just lost his dad. The case is similar to the young noblewoman and a ward of Countess Helena who not only loses his dad but also a gifted doctor. The play is also tragic in the sense that Helena is not contended that Bertram is leaving him.

Many people think that Helena is mourning his father’s death but in actual sense she is mourning Bertram who is going to attend to the king in the palace. The way the structure of this play begins is an indication of tragic events happening hence the reason to classify this play under tragedy. The king’s Illness is also a sign of tragedy. The king has been ailing for long and nobody has been able to offer him cure especially after the death of a gifted doctor. Helena chooses this reason to pursue her love for Bertram and makes her way to Paris where he convinces the King about her secret recipe that is likely to cure the King.

In return Helena asks for a chance to declare whom to marry from the palace if she succeeds in curing the King. As expected she manages to cure the king and requests to marry Bertram something that Bertram denies several times. This is also a sign of tragedy. Despite Helena making sacrifices like following Bertram in Paris and sacrificing her life to cure the King, Bertram still turns her down. This is a form of tragedy. Moreover, Helena chooses to disappear as a way of tempting Bertram to return from war but this strategy does not qualify as well.

She then chooses to go to Florence where Bertram is at war. She arrives there in disguise like a pilgrim only to hear of Bertram wishes of seducing Diana a beautiful virgin girl. This incident is more tragic as it makes Helena sadder and envious as she wishes to marry Bertram at all cost. More tragic events follow from the play. While in Florence Helena befriends the widow and Diana and informs them of her intention and love for Bertram. They both agree and trick Bertram to bed in which Bertram declares his love to Diana.

In return Diana suggests trading her ring which she took from Helena and her virginity something that Bertram quickly agrees to. A tragic letter is also read by the King and rumors about Helena’s death also reach the King’s palace. Despite being rumors these rumors are still very tragic. Elements of tragedy also emanate from the last scene of this play when Bertram arrives back from Florence to celebrate his victory only to find tragedy. On his arrival he learns about a letter he allegedly wrote that he was to marry Lafew’s daughter when Helena immediately dies.

Although this is a dupe it is heartbreaking to Helena who has loved Bertram for so long. Bertram further finds himself in trouble when he offers Lafew’s daughter Helena’s ring something that the king quickly recognizes. Bertram is to be seized something that is also tragic in this play. Bertram is supposed to be celebrating victory but he now faces high chances of going to jail. However, the widow and Diana arrive just in time to explain the whole story. The king notices Helena’s sacrifices and awards Helena Dowry and his marriage choice.

The story ends well but has been tragic all over hence the reason why I choose to classify it under tragedies. Works CitedFraser, Russell. Alls Well That Ends Well. The New Cambridge Shakespeare (2 ed.). Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2013.