Love’s Labour’s Lost follows the attempts of four noblemen to keep their minds on scholarship and away from women, but who are quickly deterred by four beautiful women who take great delight in mocking their inability to keep their oaths.
Love's Labour's Lost Summary
King Ferdinand of Navarre and his three best noblemen: Berowne, Longaville, and Dumaine, have all taken a vow of celibacy and scholarship for three years. Ferdinand wants to make Navarre a place of learning and power, and he believes that this will be the best example to set to get the realm to that point. As such, he orders that all women must stay a mile away from his Navarre. At the same time, a sub-plot involving Don Adriano de Armado arrives in the form of a letter, in which Armado details catching Costard and Jaquenetta, two people of a lower class, consorting together outside of marriage or betrothal. It is later revealed that Don Armado falls in love with Jaquenetta, and he writes her a letter for Costard to deliver to her.
The Princess of France arrives to speak to King Ferdinand about state issues regarding Aquitaine. However, the king and his men must ride out to meet her at her camp, since women are not permitted in the city. The men instantly fall in love with the princess and her ladies in waiting: Berowne falls for Rosaline; Longaville falls for Maria; and Dumaine falls for Katherine. The king himself falls for the princess. Berowne decides to send a letter of declaration of his love to Rosaline through Costard, since he has signed the oath of celibacy with the king. Costard accidentally delivers Berowne’s letter to Jaquenetta, who brings it to a schoolmaster named Holofernes to translate it for her. He suggests that she needs to show it to the king, because it was not meant for her.
One by one, each of the king’s men reveal their love for the French princess’ ladies. While Ferdinand initially tries to stand by his vow, he realizes that they know he is in love with the princess. When he sees Berowne’s letter, even though it is treason, he forgives him and the men decide to send the ladies ornate gifts. The women are a bit scornful of the men because they are so quick to break their oaths. They then learn that the men are coming to them disguised as “Muscovites”, or Russians, in an attempt to woo the ladies. The ladies decide to have their own fun and wear masks to confuse the men. When the men return undisguised, the ladies use Boyet to mock the Russian men who were just there. The men are perturbed, because they do not realize that the women know their scheme. Finally, all is revealed, and everyone sits down to watch a play called the Nine Worthies, which details the accomplishments of nine historical men who embody chivalric virtues. In the middle of the play, the princess receives word that her father has died. She and her ladies depart, vowing that they will each take a year to mourn and that the men should each complete a year’s task in order to prove their love to the ladies, if their love is true. Each man falls all over himself in promising to wait for the women.
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Try it for Free!Date Published: 1598
Genre: Comedy
Major Themes: Scholarship and Honor; Love and Lust; Men vs. Women
Famous Quote: “This field shall hold me, and so hold your vow. Nor God nor I delights in perjured men.”
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- Hamlet
- Othello
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- Picture Encyclopedia of Shakespeare Plays
How Tos about Love's Labour's Lost Summary
How can I create engaging classroom activities using facts from Love's Labour's Lost?
Start by selecting key facts or scenes from Love's Labour's Lost. Choose moments that spark discussion, showcase character relationships, or highlight Shakespeare's humor. This helps students connect with the play's main ideas.
Break students into groups for scene reenactments.
Assign each group a short scene or character interaction. Encourage students to read aloud, use simple props, and discuss the meaning behind the lines. This active approach builds confidence and understanding of Shakespearean language.
Incorporate visual aids like storyboards and character maps.
Use printable storyboards and character diagrams to illustrate relationships and events. These visual tools make it easier for students to follow the plot and remember key facts about Love's Labour's Lost.
Invite students to create a 'fact scavenger hunt' using the encyclopedia page.
Challenge students to find and share interesting facts about the play. Have them present findings to the class, fostering peer learning and critical thinking.
Wrap up with a class discussion linking facts to themes.
Guide students to connect what they learned to the play's deeper messages. Discuss themes such as love, wit, and learning, and relate them to students' own experiences for meaningful engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions about Love's Labour's Lost Summary
What is 'Love's Labour's Lost' about?
Love's Labour's Lost is a comedy play by William Shakespeare about a group of young men who vow to avoid women and focus on study, only to fall in love when a group of ladies arrives, leading to witty banter, mistaken identities, and humorous situations.
Who are the main characters in 'Love's Labour's Lost'?
The main characters include King Ferdinand of Navarre, his friends Berowne, Longaville, and Dumaine, and the Princess of France with her attendants Rosaline, Maria, and Katherine. Each pair becomes romantically involved, driving the play's plot.
Why is 'Love's Labour's Lost' considered an important Shakespeare play?
Love's Labour's Lost is important because it showcases Shakespeare's talent for wordplay and clever dialogue. It explores themes of love, learning, and the challenges of keeping promises, making it a favorite for teaching language arts and literature in schools.
What are some key themes in 'Love's Labour's Lost'?
Major themes include love versus duty, the value of education, the nature of wit and wordplay, and the unpredictability of human behavior, all presented in a lighthearted, comedic style.
How can teachers use 'Love's Labour's Lost' in the classroom?
Teachers can use this play to teach Shakespearean language, comedy techniques, and character analysis. Activities might include reading scenes aloud, exploring themes, and creating storyboards or performances to help students engage with the material.
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