“The ambition in my love” : The theater of courtly conduct in All’s Well that Ends Well

This chapter explores the gendered nature and language of courtly conduct in Shakespeare’s All’s Well that Ends Well, a work concerned with the ambiguity of gendered courtly conduct, in words, objects, and deeds, which can be interpreted as a critical commentary on contemporary French court life and its leading, female protagonists. Verbal play, material culture, and actions are shown to be key to an articulation and practice of emotions that underpins the successful operation of the court. In this context, coupling may be less a meeting of hearts than a joining of well-matched individuals, each able to perform a range of courtly behaviors successfully by learning to dissimulate through words, attire, and deeds to achieve their goals