# Lafeu — All’s Well That Ends Well character guide

> Lafeu in All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old lord Lafeu

**First appearance:** 0001-act-i

## Who they are

An old lord with a tooth still in his head, fond of plain speech, plain truth, and any maid who can dance.

## Relationships

### [Bertram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/bertram)

_social_

Lafeu is an older courtier who initially supports Bertram but later criticizes his dishonorable behavior.

### [Helena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/helena)

_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)

_friendship_

The King and Lafeu are old friends and trusted advisors, sharing mutual respect and loyalty.

### [Parolles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/parolles)

_rivalry_

Lafeu despises Parolles as a fool and a liar, mocking him openly.

### [Parolles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/parolles)

_rivalry_

Lafeu despises Parolles as a fool and a liar, mocking him openly.

### [King of France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/king_of_france)

_friendship_

The King and Lafeu are old friends and trusted advisors, sharing mutual respect and loyalty.

### [Helena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/helena)

_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)

_friendship_

The King and Lafeu are old friends and trusted advisors, sharing mutual respect and loyalty.

### [Bertram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/bertram)

_social_

Lafeu is an older courtier who initially supports Bertram but later criticizes his dishonorable behavior.

### [Helena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/helena)

_friendship_

Lafeu respects Helena's virtue and intelligence, acting as an ally and advocate for her.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Comforts the Countess, informs them of the King's illness, and praises Gerard de Narbon.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Lafeu enters with Bertram and Parolles, accompanying the young count to the King's court.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Brings Helena to the king, praising her wisdom and constancy, and persuades the king to see her.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Scolds Parolles for his pretensions and reveals his knowledge of Parolles's disreputable past.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-v)

Warns Bertram about Parolles' dishonesty and cowardice, calling him a 'light nut' and advising against trusting him.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v)

Criticizes Parolles' influence on Bertram and proposes a marriage alliance.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Lafeu dismisses Parolles's pleas but eventually gives him a coin and agrees to let him follow, noting the king's approach.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Arranges his daughter's marriage to Bertram, identifies the ring, and later rejects Bertram as a son-in-law.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/all_s_well_that_ends_well_se/characters/lafeu
- 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