The Countess is mourning the recent death of her husband and is worried about her son's future. Bertram is a young nobleman who is about to leave for the court of the King of France, where he will serve as a ward to the king. Helena, on the other hand, is a young woman who was taken in by the Countess after her father's death. She is deeply in love with Bertram, but he does not reciprocate her feelings.

As the scene progresses, we learn that the King of France is very sick and has been given up for dead by his doctors. The Countess suggests that Helena should go to Paris and try to cure the king using a remedy her father had discovered. Helena is hesitant at first, but the Countess convinces her to go, promising to give her whatever she wants if she succeeds in curing the king.

Bertram is skeptical of Helena's abilities and does not believe that she can cure the king. He even goes so far as to say that if she does, he will marry her, knowing that it is an impossible task. However, the Countess and Helena are determined to try, and the scene ends with Helena leaving for Paris to try and cure the king.

Parolles, a soldier and friend of Bertram, enters and boasts about his bravery and military exploits. The Countess is unimpressed and sees through his false bravado. Parolles then reveals that Bertram is in love with a young woman named Helena, who is the daughter of the Countess's physician. However, Bertram does not reciprocate Helena's feelings and has left for the court to avoid her.

The Countess is concerned for Helena's well-being and sends Lavatch to fetch her. Helena enters and shares her love for Bertram with the Countess, who is touched by her sincerity. The Countess decides to use her influence to help Helena win Bertram's love and suggests that she go to the court disguised as a pilgrim to seek the King's blessing for their marriage.

The scene ends with the Countess and Helena discussing their plan, while Parolles continues to boast about his bravery and military prowess.

As they talk, Parolles, a soldier who is a friend of Bertram, enters and starts bragging about his accomplishments in the military. Lavatch sees through Parolles' lies and mocks him, but the Countess is impressed by his stories and invites him to stay.

Parolles then reveals that Bertram is in love with a commoner named Helena, who is the ward of the Countess. The Countess is initially shocked but then decides to help Helena win Bertram's love. She sends her to the French court with a letter that she hopes will persuade Bertram to marry Helena.

The scene ends with Parolles and Lavatch continuing to bicker, while the Countess prays for Helena's success in winning Bertram's heart.

As Helena leaves the room, the Countess of Rossillion enters. She is the mother of Bertram, a young nobleman who is serving in the King's army. The Countess is worried about her son, who refuses to marry any woman unless she meets certain qualifications.

Helena and the Countess discuss Bertram, and Helena reveals that she loves him. The Countess is pleased, but Helena is worried that Bertram will never return her affections. She decides to go to Paris and use her knowledge of medicine to cure the King. She hopes that, in return, the King will grant her a wish: to marry Bertram.

The scene ends with the Countess wishing Helena good luck and telling her that she will always be welcome in their home.

Parolles is initially skeptical of Helena's plan, but she convinces him to help her by appealing to his vanity. She flatters him and tells him that he is the only one who can help her. Parolles eventually agrees to help Helena, and they make plans to meet in Paris.

This scene is significant because it sets up the central conflict of the play: Helena's unrequited love for Bertram and her determination to win him over. It also introduces the character of Parolles, who will play an important role in the plot.

The letter reveals that the son is in love with a woman named Helena, who is a ward of the Countess. The son asks for permission to marry Helena, but the Countess is hesitant because of their differing social statuses. The clown and attendant both encourage the Countess to allow the marriage, but she remains uncertain.

The scene ends with the Countess sending the clown to Paris to deliver a letter to her son, which he will use to decide whether or not to pursue the marriage. The Countess also reveals that she plans to travel to Paris herself to investigate the situation further.

As the Countess and her steward, Lavatch, are talking, they are interrupted by the arrival of Helena, the daughter of a doctor who served the Countess's late husband. Helena is in love with Bertram, but he has shown no interest in her, and has in fact left without saying goodbye. Helena has come to ask for the Countess's permission to go to the court and try to win Bertram's love.

The Countess is sympathetic to Helena's plight and agrees to help her. She gives Helena a letter of introduction to the King, which will allow her to present herself at court. The Countess also gives Helena a ring that belonged to her late husband, which she tells Helena to use as a token of her love for Bertram.

Helena is grateful for the Countess's help and promises to use every means at her disposal to win Bertram's love. She then leaves for the court, determined to prove herself worthy of Bertram's affections.

The Countess expresses her concern about Bertram, who she fears may be led astray by bad influences at court. Lavatch offers his opinion, saying that Bertram is a good boy and will not be easily swayed. He also tells the Countess that she should be proud of Bertram's noble lineage and that he will surely make a name for himself at court.

The conversation then turns to the Countess's late husband, who was a great warrior. Lavatch tells a humorous story about a time when the Countess's husband was so angry that he threw a monkey out of a window. The Countess is amused by the story and reminisces about her husband's bravery.

As they continue to talk, the Countess realizes that Lavatch is getting old and she worries about his future. Lavatch reassures her that he is content with his life and that he will continue to serve her as long as he is able.

The scene ends with the Countess reflecting on her own life and the passing of time. She tells Lavatch that she feels old and tired, but he reminds her that she still has many good years ahead of her.

Just then, the Clown enters, carrying a letter from Bertram. The letter is full of insults towards Helena and the King, and the Countess is shocked and disappointed at her son's behavior. She decides to write a letter to Bertram, urging him to return to Paris and make amends with Helena and the King.

The scene ends with the Countess and the Clown discussing the different meanings of the word "rascals," which the Countess uses to describe Bertram's behavior. The Clown suggests that the word can mean either "villainous knaves" or "poor dissembling cheaters," and the Countess agrees that both definitions apply to her son.

The scene begins with Parolles boasting about how he would handle a difficult situation if he were in Lafew's position. Lafew challenges Parolles, asking him if he would really be able to handle the situation as well as he claims. Parolles insists that he would, but Lafew continues to question him, pointing out the flaws in his logic.

Eventually, Lafew reveals that he knows Parolles is not as brave as he pretends to be. He tells Parolles that he has heard rumors about him, and that he knows he is a coward. Parolles tries to deny it, but Lafew is not fooled. He tells Parolles that he needs to be honest with himself and with others, and that he will never be a true soldier until he learns to be brave.

Overall, Scene 2 of Act 3 is a dialogue between two characters who represent very different perspectives on bravery and heroism. Parolles believes that bravery is all about appearances and reputation, while Lafew believes that true bravery comes from within. The scene sets up an important conflict that will play out later in the play, as Parolles is forced to confront his own cowardice and learn what it truly means to be a hero.