# Helena — All’s Well That Ends Well character guide > Helena in All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Helen **First appearance:** 0001-act-i ## Who they are A physician's orphan who cures a dying king, then claims the husband she loves — and must outwit his contempt to keep him. ## Relationships ### [King of France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/king_of_france) _professional_ Helena cures the King of his illness, earning his gratitude and his command that Bertram marry her. ### [Bertram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/bertram) _romantic_ Bertram resists Helena's love and marriage to her, fleeing and rejecting her despite her devotion. ### [Lafeu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/lafeu) _friendship_ Lafeu respects Helena's virtue and intelligence, acting as an ally and advocate for her. ### [Parolles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/parolles) _social_ Helena tolerates Parolles as Bertram's associate but sees through his dishonesty. ### [First Lord Dumain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/first_lord_dumain) _friendship_ First Lord Dumain respects Helena and assists in her plan to win back Bertram. ### [Gentleman A Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/gentleman_a_stranger) _social_ A stranger who interacts with Helena during her pilgrimage, offering aid or information. ### [King of France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/king_of_france) _professional_ Helena cures the King of his illness, earning his gratitude and his command that Bertram marry her. ### [Bertram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/bertram) _romantic_ Bertram resists Helena's love and marriage to her, fleeing and rejecting her despite her devotion. ### [Lafeu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/lafeu) _friendship_ Lafeu respects Helena's virtue and intelligence, acting as an ally and advocate for her. ### [King of France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/king_of_france) _professional_ Helena cures the King of his illness, earning his gratitude and his command that Bertram marry her. ### [Parolles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/parolles) _social_ Helena tolerates Parolles as Bertram's associate but sees through his dishonesty. ### [First Lord Dumain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/first_lord_dumain) _friendship_ First Lord Dumain respects Helena and assists in her plan to win back Bertram. ## In the story ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i) Reveals her love for Bertram, laments her low birth, and resolves to cure the King. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii) Helena confesses her love for Bertram to the Countess and reveals her plan to use her father's medical knowledge to cure the King of France. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i) Arrives at court offering to cure the king with her father's remedy; she stakes her life and maiden's name on her success and secures the king's promise to grant her a husband. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii) Accepts Bertram as her husband with humility, but is rejected by him. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv) Receives news from Parolles about Bertram's departure and his commands. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-v) Obediently delivers the king's message to Bertram and accepts his dismissive treatment, expressing her unworthiness and devotion. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii) Reads Bertram's harsh letter and decides to leave Rousillon to allow him to return. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v) Disguised as a pilgrim, she arrives in Florence, inquires about Bertram, and observes him from a distance. ### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vii) Persuades the Widow to assist in the bed trick, offering payment and explaining the plan to deceive Bertram. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv) Helena reveals her plan to travel to Marseilles and explains her supposed death and intention to return home before Bertram. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i) Arrives in Marseilles with the Widow and Diana, seeking the king to present a petition. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/helena - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters