Vol. 39 No. 1 (1991)
Research Article

TWO NOTES ON SHAKESPEARE: Fontibell and Fountains

Published 1991-03-01

Abstract

Abstract

In All's Well that Ends Well (4.2.1), Bertram addresses Diana as Fontibell. This intentional misnaming may be part of his attempt to seduce her by reference to her sex organ, as Fontibell can be interpreted as “beautiful vagina.”

References

  1. Bulfinch, Thomas. Mythology. New York: Crowell, 1970.
  2. Geneva Bible: A Facsimile of the 1560 Edition. Madison: U of Wisconsin,1969.
  3. Levith, Murray J. What’s in Shakespeare’s Names. Hamden, CT: Archon,1978.
  4. Partridge, Eric. Shakespeare’s Bawdy. New York: Dutton, 1960.
  5. Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1974.