Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare

Love’s Labour’s Lost is a comedy by William Shakespeare, written in the late sixteenth century.

 

Ferdinand, king of Navarre, and three of his noblemen, Lord Berowne, Lord Longaville, and Lord Dumaine, swear off women for three years in order to devote themselves to study.

 

What could go wrong? The arrival of the Princess of France, and her three attendants, Lady Rossaline, Lady Maria, and Lady Katherine.

 

Now get this, you’ll never guess, but the Pincess and her ladies just happen to be beautiful, and single.

 

The play can almost write itself: well conceived for the Bard’s comedic pen.

 

But I had a little problem with it. Although the situation did indeed produce some wonderful comic moments, and witty dialogue, there were also eventualities that I found incongruent, inexplicable, or unnecessary.

 

The incongruity: The greatest weakness, in my opinion, is how how easily the King and company excuse themselves from their oaths. They had sworn that if they should break them they would…

 

Endure such public shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise.

 

But they rather flippantly decide that since love is the most worthy study, it’s ok to break their oaths.

 

The comedy is great. Their infidelity is just too easy, too quick, too without shame.

 

The inexplicable. Once they collectively decide to forget about that silly old oath, they disguise themselves as Russians in order to profess their love. Ummm…what?!?

 

Still, great comedy ensues, as the Princess and her ladies learn of this plan, and themselves exchange veils and costumes, so as to confound their lovesick admirers.

 

The Princess explains this…

 

We are wise girls to mock our lovers so.

 

And later, in a bit more detail…

 

The effect of my intent is to cross theirs:

They do it but in mocking merriment;

And mock for mock is only my intent.

Their several counsels they unbosom shall

To loves mistook; and so be mock’d withal

Upon the next occasion that we meet.

With visages display’d to talk and greet.

 

That at least makes sense.

 

The uneccesary: A bit later all deceipt is unmasked, they all have a good chuckle, and are immediately treated to a play of The Nine Worthies: the play within the play, enacted by some other minor characters in Shakespeare’s play. Ohhhkay.

 

Before The Nine Worthies is finished a messenger arrives with sad news that the Princess’ father has died, which is kind of a bummer, considering this is a comedy. In pretty short order, the King and Lords promise to wait a year and a day, while the Princess and Ladies mourn, and then all will be happily married, and all’s well that ends well…pardon the Shakespearific pun.

 

As always, I’m certain it would come off better experienced via stage rather than read. I wasn’t a big fan, due to the inconsistencies I’ve mentioned. It isn’t just me. This is not one of Shakespeare’s more respected plays.

 

Also, I don't get the second apostrophe in the title: Labour's What?