Diana (All's Well That Ends Well)

Play

All's Well That Ends Well

Summary

A young Florentine woman of good reputation whom Bertram attempts to seduce while he is on campaign in Italy. At Helena's request, Diana agrees to accept Bertram's ring and assignation, then allows Helena to take her place in the dark — the play's bed-trick. Her riddle-like testimony before the King in the final act is deliberately confounding, serving to delay and heighten the revelation of Helena's return.

Notable Quotations

"I am Saint Jacques' pilgrim, thither gone: / Ambitious love hath so in me offended / That barefoot plod I the cold ground upon." *(III.iv, of Helena)*

"He's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator." *(V.iii)*

Cross-references

• All's Well That Ends Well — the play
• Comedies
• character_helena_awtew — whose bed-trick scheme she enables
• character_bertram — the count who woos her dishonorably