All’s Well That Ends Well · Chapter
Scene II explained
Bertram attempts to seduce Diana in Florence, but she resists his advances, exposing the hypocrisy of his vows.
What happens
Bertram attempts to seduce Diana in Florence, but she resists his advances, exposing the hypocrisy of his vows. Diana cleverly negotiates a ring exchange and sets the terms for a midnight meeting, planning to deceive him in turn.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene marks the dramatic climax because Bertram, who has fled his forced marriage to Helena, achieves his…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Deception and Appearance
Diana's plan to deceive Bertram by pretending to yield while actually executing a bed trick highlights the theme of appearance versus reality.
- Honor and Reputation
The ring symbolizes Bertram's family honor, while Diana equates her chastity with the same concept, showing how honor is used as a bargaining chip.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“My mother told me just how he would woo, As if she sat in's heart; she says all men Have the like oaths: he had sworn to marry me When his wife's dead; therefore I'll lie with him When I am buried.”
My mother predicted exactly how he would court me; she says all men make the same promises. He swore to marry me after his wife dies, so I'll sleep with him only when I'm dead and buried.
Diana reveals her mother's insight into men's deceitful courtship and her own ironic resolve to trick Bertram.
