My only criticism with renditions of this play is they always have a really pretty girl play Helena and it’s hard to relate to Betram not wanting to be her husband
Galactic Hospitaller: that is the point. Shakespeare hammers several times the fact that Helen is alluring. All of the lords in court are eager to marry her. Lafew and the King admire her beauty. Bertram doesn't like her because his ego has been crushed by his upbringing, and all he has to be proud of is his nobility--and Helen is COMMON. She was brought up at the chateau in Rossillion, but probably because she was the only other child in the neighborhood. And Bertram's mother is cold and stern---she gets that from her father---see her farewell blessing to Bertram in scene 1--and Helen is warm, generous and loving. Small wonder Bertram can't stand her. When he goes to Florence he falls in love with Diana, whom he describes as "wondrous cold." Forgive me for pontificating, but I've been a teacher for a long, long time, and waving my arms around like this comes naturally. Thank you for your very kind remark.
