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Love's Labour's Lost

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1598

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Book Brief

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William Shakespeare

Love's Labour's Lost

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1598
Book Details
Pages

250

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Navarre, Spain • Late 1500s

Publication Year

1598

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

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Super Short Summary

Love's Labour's Lost by William Shakespeare is a comedy about four Lords, led by the King of Navarre, who vow to study and avoid women for three years but soon fall in love with the Princess of France and her three attendant ladies. Their attempts to woo the women, amidst humorous subplots and mistaken identities, explore the folly of their oath and the complexities of love. The text includes period-typical stereotyping around ethnicity, cultural origins, and misogynistic attitudes.

Romantic

Humorous

Playful

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.0

15,080 ratings

51%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Love's Labour's Lost by William Shakespeare is celebrated for its wit, wordplay, and intricate language. Critics admire its clever dialogue and the playful examination of romantic courtship. However, some find the plot meandering and the ending anticlimactic. Overall, it's an engaging, intellectually stimulating comedy, though not universally accessible.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Love's Labour's Lost?

A reader who enjoys witty wordplay, complex character interactions, and themes of love and folly would appreciate William Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost. Fans of Shakespeare's comedies such as A Midsummer Night's Dream and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice will find similar delights in this play.

4.0

15,080 ratings

51%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

Character List

The King of Navarre

Leader of the Lords, the King is the social superior and decision-maker of the group; he fosters an ambitious vision for his court but grapples with personal and political challenges.

A witty and articulate Lord, Berowne often questions the King's decisions and stands out for his skepticism and depth, engaging in lively banter and complex dialogue.

A sharp and witty court lady who interacts with Berowne, displaying verbal dexterity and a dynamic personality while navigating her societal constraints.

A diplomatic leader among the women, she exhibits authority in her political mission and personal interactions, embodying both hierarchy and camaraderie.

These two Lords follow the King's lead, engaging in the courtly pursuit of love as part of the play's focus on romantic conventions.

Court ladies who mirror the wit of their Lords, Maria and Katherine support the Princess and follow her lead in the romantic plotlines.

As a courtier, Boyet provides humorous commentary and practical support to the Princess, engaging in friendly banter with the women.

A country youth with a comedic role, Costard offers a down-to-earth perspective and humorously contrasts with the play's more verbose characters.

A self-important Spanish character driven by romantic pursuits, Armado provides comedy through his buffoonish behavior and interactions with other characters.

A woman of low socio-economic status whose interactions with Costard and Armado move the plot forward, providing key narrative moments.

The Constable of the play, known for his comedic dullness and minimal engagement with complex language, serving mainly to assist with plot functions.

The quick-witted servant to Armado, Mote engages in humorous exchanges, offering clever insights and assisting in the comedic subplot.

These comedic figures, characterized as a teacher and a curate, respectively, showcase their pompousness through pretentious displays of learning.

Book Details
Pages

250

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Navarre, Spain • Late 1500s

Publication Year

1598

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

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