There is no definitive answer as to whether All's Well That Ends Well truly does end well, and the question will likely continue to be debated as new interpretations of the characters of Helena and Bertram appear, as they are integral in any interpretation of the ending. The play ends "properly," as a comedy should, with the hero and heroine reunited, but most modem critics tend to view their future beyond this momentary reunion as uncertain. Central to this debate is whether the gender role reversal experienced by Helena and Bertram is ultimately resolved as Helena assumes her proper "feminine," passive role, and Bertram his "masculine" active one, and whether the desires of the two main characters will be realized in their union, which has been achieved through the deception of the bedtrick.