How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #4
SECOND LORD
We'll make you some sport with the fox
ere we case him. He was first smoked by the old
Lord Lafew. When his disguise and he is parted,
tell me what a sprat you shall find him, which you
shall see this very night. (3.6.91-94)
The first lord Dumaine uses the language of fox hunting to describe the prank he and the other men are about to play on Paroles: he suggests that Paroles is like a fox who's been "smoked" out of his hole. This casts Paroles in the role of victim or prey; the French lords see this trick as an elaborate game or some kind of sport.
Quote #5
HELEN
You see it lawful, then. It is no more,
But that your daughter, ere she seems as won,
Desires this ring, appoints him an encounter,
In fine, delivers me to fill the time,
Herself most chastely absent. (3.7.34-38)
In many Shakespearean comedies (like Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, and As You Like It), female characters wear elaborate disguises and/or cross-dress as young men. In All's Well, things are slightly different. Helen's big disguise occurs during the bed trick, when she pretends to be another woman in order to consummate her marriage with her own husband. Way to switch it up, Shakespeare.
Quote #6
BERTRAM
No more o' that.
I prithee, do not strive against my vows.
I was compelled to her, but I love thee
By love's own sweet constraint, and will forever
Do thee all rights of service. (4.2.17-21)
When Diana points out that Bertram is a married man, he insists that he loves her and promises to be faithful forever. Of course, by the end of the play, Bertram completely denies his relationship with Diana and accuses her of being a common prostitute. If Bertram is willing to lie, cheat, beg, borrow, and steal to get what he wants, is he any different than Paroles?