Love's Labour's Lost

Roles

• King of Navarre - Adult (36-50), Senior (>50), Male

About this piece

The King reads a love poem that he has written

Summary

The King of Navarre, together with his three lords Berowne, Longaville and Dumaine, make an oath to scolarship for three years. In order to dedicate themselves to their studies they swear to fasting, to give up women and to sleep as little as possible. The King decides not to allow any women in his court. Don Armado, a Spaniard who is visiting the king, falls in love with Jaquenetta, a country girl. He writes a love letter to her and asks Costant, the court fool, to deliver the letter to her. The daughter of the King of France, however, arrives with three women, Maria, Katherine and Rosaline. The King refuses to allow them in his house because he doesn't want to break his oath and meets them out in the field with his three lords. They all show interest in the three women and the king falls in love with the princess. Berowne falls in love with Rosaline, writes a love letter to her and asks Costant to deliver it to her. Costant accidentally switches the letter with Don Armado's letter and delivers Berowne's letter to Jaquenetta. In ACT IV, Scene 3, Berowne overhears the king reading from a love poem he wrote for the princess, thus breaking his oath...

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