All's Well that Ends Well

by William Shakespeare

All's Well that Ends Well: Genre 1 key example

New! Understand every line of All's Well that Ends Well.
Read our modern English translation.
Genre
Explanation and Analysis:

All's Well That Ends Well is a play that belongs primarily to two genres of theater. At its core, the play is mostly a comedy. Shakespearean comedies are known for their clever wordplay, use of mistaken identity and sleight of hand, romantic entanglements, and elements of the fantastical. They often involve characters overcoming obstacles to achieve happy endings, which are usually in the form of marriages or reunions. These plays tend to be light-hearted and often provide commentary on social conventions, particularly those surrounding love and marriage. All’s Well That Ends Well does many of these things. It has a love plot that is positively resolved, and is often funny. It has a lot of witty dialogue, some of the plot revolves around those mistaken identities and confusions, and there are moments which incorporate tomfoolery and slapstick.