Bertram: The Reluctant Husband
First appears: Act 1, Scene 1
Bertram refuses to live with the wife the King gave him because she is beneath his rank. He flees to the wars in Florence, pursues another woman under false promises, and lies repeatedly when caught. He is not easy to like.
Shakespeare makes him a good soldier, which complicates things. The Duke of Florence honours him. Parolles reports his courage. On the battlefield he is exactly what his family expected.
His final capitulation in Act 5 comes only when he has run out of lies to tell. Whether that counts as a genuine change of heart is the question the play leaves open.
Key Scenes
Famous Quotes
“A young man married is a man that's marr'd: Therefore away, and leave her bravely; go: The king has done you wrong: but, hush, 'tis so.”
Bertram — Act 2, Scene 3
“Although before the solemn priest I have sworn, I will not bed her.”
Bertram — Act 2, Scene 3
Themes
Other Characters in All's Well That Ends Well
Test Your Knowledge
Think you know your Shakespeare? Put it to the test with one of our free quizzes.
See all quizzes →