This comedy of love unfulfilled is set in the French kingdom of Navarre, where King Ferdinand and his three companions, Berowne, Dumaine and Longaville see themselves as enthusiastic students of philosophy and they resolve to forgo the company of women for three years to devote their time to their studies. The decree against women is to apply to all and the local peasant Costard is arrested by Dull, the constable, for wooing his betrothed, Jacquenetta, but they are confused by the Spanish dandy, Don Armado, who is also in love with Jacquenetta.

Soon after the King's oath has been sworn the Princess of France and her three ladies in waiting, Rosaline, Katharine and Maria, arrive on an embassy. On account of the King's pledge they are lodged a mile from the court in the royal park but, with the aid of the Princess's chamberlain, Boyet, they are granted audience with Navarre and his friends, and find that they have all met before. The village schoolmaster, Holofernes, and the parson, Nathaniel, in company with Don Armado, plan to help entertain the royal visitors by devising a pageant in which Costard, Armado and the witty pageboy. Moth, will take part.

Through a series of misunderstandings and letters delivered to the wrong recipients the king and his friends are shown each to be in love with one of the visiting French ladies. Berowne persuades Navarre that love is a lawful part of their studies so the men continue to entertain their guests. They send them gifts, and visit them in disguise, but they still pretend to maintain an indifference to the ladies' charms until they are tricked into an admission of the truth of their love; Berowne for Rosaline, Dumaine for Katharine, Longaville for Maria and Navarre for the Princess.

Accepting their situation the courtiers make a truce and merrily watch the pageant of the 'Nine Worthies' but during the performance a messenger arrives to say that the King of France is dead. His daughter, the Princess, must return home and, unsure of the love Navarre has declared, she decrees a year of mourning within which Navarre and his companions must remain with their love unrequited and live as hermits away from the court. If at the end of that time their promises hold true the ladies may return to accept them in marriage. The play ends with Nathaniel, Holofernes and their friends singing songs of the Cuckoo and the Owl.

'Love's Labour's Lost' was probably written in 1593 or 1594 it was performed at court in 1597 and first printed in 1598.

© Marian J. Pringle
Special Collections Librarian