I’m doing a study of William Shakespeare’s play “All’s Well that Ends Well.” The play, written in the early 17th century, is both a comedy and a tragedy. The protagonist, Helena, an orphan, is under the protection of the Countess of Rossilion, who has a son with whom Helena is love.
I find it interesting how the protagonist cures the king of some life-threatening malady. Out of gratitude, he offers her the man of her choice to marry. This is when the plot thickens.
This week’s Vaughan’s Vocabulary quizzes you about this great play. I encourage you to read this Shakespearean masterpiece.
1. Which word does not apply to Bertram?
A. arrogant
B. uxorious
C. untruthful
D. saddened
E. sophisticated
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2. The story takes place in which two countries?
A. England
B. France
C. Norway
D. Italy
E. Denmark
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3. Which one is the first to see through Parolles’ schemes?
A. Bertram
B. Helena
C. Lefeu
D. the countess
E. the king of France
Let’s see how you’re doing so far. Uxorious is an adjective that doesn’t describe Bertram. If a man is uxorious, he really adores his wife. Bertram considers Helena socially beneath him.
The story takes place in France and Italy.
Lefeu (lay-FOO) is the answer to No. 3. This elderly gentleman is filled with wisdom.
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4. What is it that “the king languishes of”?
A. a kidney stone
B. a fistula
C. typhoid fever
D. rheumatic fever
In the first scene, it’s revealed that the king languishes of a fistula.
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5. In an alphabetized list of Shakespeare’s plays, “All’s Well that Ends Well” is
A. first.
B. second.
C. third.
D. fourth.
“All’s Well that Ends Well” is first on alphabetized lists of Shakespeare’s plays. At No. 2 is “Antony and Cleopatra.” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” goes under M.-
Editor’s Note: Dr. Don Rodney Vaughan is the pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church near Eupora and is on the faculty of East Mississippi Community College, Golden Triangle Campus. Contact him at dvaughan@eastms.edu.
