"Love's Labour's Lost" is a
comedy by
William Shakespeare. It's one of his early
comedies first
performed c. 1594.
The feature of Shakespeare's play is the extravagant conceits of the courtly lovers.
Shakespeare also created minor characters including Don Adriano de Armado, Holofernes the pedantic schoolteacher, Costard the clown, and Dull the Constable, among others.
The comedy play opens with the King of Navarre, Ferdinand, and his three noble lords, Berowne, Dumaine and Longaville. They are taking their oath to devote themselves to three years of study and not to give in to the company of women. Berowne pledges somewhat hesitantly than the others. He reminds the king that the princess and her three
ladies are coming to the kingdom and it was not a good idea to agree to this law. But the King refutes what Berowne says insisting that the ladies can make their camp outside of his court.
The main plot is supported by many other humorous sub-plots.
Don Adriano de Armado, a rather heavy-accented Spanish swordsman, tries and fails to woo Jaquenetta, a country wench, but fails although he is helped by Moth, his page. Armado is rivaled by Costard, the clown.
Two scholars, Holofernes and Sir Nathaniel, are seen conversing with each other in schoolboy Latin.
The nobles are entertained to a play by the comic characters, an idea conceived by Holofernes, where they represent the Nine Worthies. The play is ridiculed by the four Lords, as well as the Ladies' manservant Boyet. Armado and Costard almost come into heated arguments, in blows against each other.
At the end of the 'play' within this play, came the sad news that the Princess's father has died and she must leave to take the throne. The king and his nobles swear to remain faithful to their ladies, but the ladies, unconvinced that their love is that strong, declare that the men must wait a whole year and a day to prove what they say is true.
For those familiar with Shakespeare and Elizabethan comedy, this is a rather unusual ending.
"Love's Labour's Lost" was adapted as a musical film featuring Kenneth Branagh in 2000.