61 pages 2 hours read

William Shakespeare

All's Well That Ends Well

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1602

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Symbols & Motifs

Rings

There are two rings in the text, and they each play a specific role in representing the concepts of honor and reputation. Bertram’s ring is the Count’s ring, which is an heirloom passed down through the Count’s family. This would be a signet or seal ring and, worn by each Count, it signifies his identity and authority. As an emblem of the family’s nobility, it is also a symbol of the Count’s honor. By contrast, Helen’s ring is a gift from the King, and it represents her personal reputation and honor, as it is an emblem of the King’s appreciation for her medical assistance and personal value. Unlike Bertram’s ring, Helen acquired the ring through her own action and qualities, whereas Bertram inherited his ring from his father.

The Count’s ring is one of Bertram’s family’s prized possessions, and Bertram comments to Diana on how losing the ring would be “the greatest obloquy” (4.2.53), meaning public disgrace. His words are correct but in a way he does not intend. He will part with both the ring and his honor through his own choice and this will result in his “obloquy” in the final scene. Bertram is willing to give Diana his ring as part of the promises he makes to her.

Related Titles

By William Shakespeare

Study Guide

logo

Antony and Cleopatra

William Shakespeare

Antony and Cleopatra

William Shakespeare

Study Guide

logo

Coriolanus

William Shakespeare

Coriolanus

William Shakespeare

Plot Summary

logo

Cymbeline

William Shakespeare

Cymbeline

William Shakespeare

Study Guide

logo

Hamlet

William Shakespeare

Hamlet

William Shakespeare

Study Guide

logo

Henry IV, Part 1

William Shakespeare

Henry IV, Part 1

William Shakespeare

Plot Summary

logo

Henry IV, Part 2

William Shakespeare

Henry IV, Part 2

William Shakespeare

Study Guide

logo

Henry V

William Shakespeare

Henry V

William Shakespeare

Plot Summary

logo

Henry VIII

William Shakespeare

Henry VIII

William Shakespeare

Plot Summary

logo

Henry VI, Part 1

William Shakespeare

Henry VI, Part 1

William Shakespeare

Plot Summary

logo

Henry VI, Part 3

William Shakespeare

Henry VI, Part 3

William Shakespeare

Plot Summary

logo

King John

William Shakespeare

King John

William Shakespeare

Study Guide

logo

Love's Labour's Lost

William Shakespeare

Love's Labour's Lost

William Shakespeare

Study Guide

logo

Measure For Measure

William Shakespeare

Measure For Measure

William Shakespeare

Study Guide

logo

Othello

William Shakespeare

Othello

William Shakespeare