All’s Well that Ends with a Problem?

All’s Well that Ends Well has been known since 1896 as one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays.” The problem, according to some, is that Bertram [spoilers ahead!] displays his love for Helena too suddenly at the end of the play, after four-and-seven-eighths acts of despising her. Here’s how the situation unfolds: Helena is the orphan of a great physician, and she brings a cure to the king of France one day. The cure works, and as a reward, the king gives her any lord she wishes to marry, and Helena chooses Bertram. The offended Bertram weds her according to the sovereign’s orders, but vows never to consummate the marriage. He even runs away to war just to get away from her. But the ever hopeful Helena plays an elaborate ruse on Bertram and then appears at the end to explain everything that has happened, upon which Bertram accepts her.

Some say that Bertram doesn’t really willingly relent at the end but gives in only under coercion. Some say that there must be some missing text that explains the reluctant husband’s sudden change. And I have to admit that the first two times I read this play, I was searching for some explanation for Bertram’s quick conversion, as well. But this time, everything seemed clear. The problem seemed to resolve itself very neatly right in the clear words written on the page. How did I miss this before? How have others missed this?

First, there’s a comic side-plot involving Bertram’s rascally servant named Parolles. Parolles is also the subject of a ruse, and as a result Bertram sees just how unfaithful his servant is. Perhaps this series of events gets our hero thinking about relationships and vows and duty and helps him see things from Helena’s point of view. Second, it is rumored near the end of the play that Helena is dead, and Bertram explicitly admits that he loves her now that he realizes what he has lost. So what’s the problem? How is his change of heart “sudden”? Can I also suggest that Shakespeare didn’t see a problem or else he wouldn’t have given the play the title he did?