All's Well That Ends Well Characters & Descriptions
The King of France is ill of a fistula, and feels his age keenly when he is ill.
Bertram is a young lord of France, recently become Count of Roussillon by his father’s death.
Lafew is an old bearded lord at the court of France who is sent to fetch Bertram when the latter’s father dies and he enters his wardship.
Parolles is a loud-mouthed, dirty-minded braggart of a soldier, extremely overdressed, and able to convince the unwary that he is an extraordinary soldier, though he is in fact a great coward.
A Page, servant to the Countess of Roussillion, is sent to find Parolles and call him to join Lafew and Bertram as they leave for court.
Gentleman Astringer is a Frenchman following the court. He agrees to present a petition to the King, though uncertain of whether he should have done.
The Countess of Roussillion is the widow of the recently-deceased Count. Soon after her widowing, she loses her son Bertram when he is taken into wardship by the crown.
Helena is the orphaned daughter of the greatest doctor of the age, Gerard de Narbon, who left her many of his recipes for cures and much of his skill.
An Old Widow runs a resting point for pilgrims on their road to Compostella.
Mariana is a friend of the Widow and her daughter Diana, and is full of warnings against the wiles of young men. She has no taste for Parolles.
First French Lord (Captain Dumaine) in the Florentine service is a war-happy young man who thinks it a great pity that Bertram will not be able to follow himself and other lords to battle.
Second French Lord (the other Captain Dumaine) in the Florentine service is the brother of the First.
The First French Lord is in the lineup of possible husbands for Helena, and is quite willing to marry her.
The Second French Lord is in the lineup of possible husbands for Helena. He is intimidating, though courteous.
The Third French Lord (mute) is in the lineup of possible husbands for Helena.
The Fourth French Lord is in the lineup of possible husbands for Helena. He scoffs at the thought that he is too young to marry.
The First Soldier as Interpreter is a French soldier who begs to be allowed to play the part of interpreter during the abduction of Parolles.
The Second Soldier is part of the ambush that abducts Parolles, and is sent to let Bertram and the First French Lord Dumaine know that he has been caught and is ready to speak.
The Messenger works for Bertram, and reports on how the latter has parted from the Duke of Florence.