All's Well That Ends Well: Helena's Traits

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notice that Helena, though lower in social standing than her husband Bertram, doesn't take into account the status barriers and being fully aware of her rights as a wife tries to win her husband over despite his persistent rejection. The theme of ethics and morality dominantly overshadows the entire play with readers being forced to analyze and judge every person's motives and every situation in the light of twisted sense of morality that Helena possessed. Helena's character has been a constant source of conflict among critics as Levin (1930) writes, "Some regard her as a genuine romantic heroine--resourceful, yes, but also virtuous, feminine, charming, and modest. She never behaves cynically, and her motives are above reproach . The alternative view is that Helena mercilessly pursues Bertram. Whether she is at first motivated by love, sex or ambition she sets out to trap Bertram, succeeds, and--when he flees her--captures him again. She gets the husband she deserves, a spoiled ...

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This is usually not the case with other female characters of Shakespeare's as most of them are intensely desired by the male leads. Helena is however thrown into a different and unique situation where she desires a man who rejects her and is seeking the hand of another woman. This situation however highlights the strong attributes that Helena's character possessed. For one, she is very ambitious and wants to win the man of her choice by hook or by crook. This makes her identical to a modern woman of 21st century, who would risk everything in her desire to achieve her goals, but there is one primary difference. While a modern woman today would consider self-respect a treasure to be ...

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