Love’s Labour’s Lost · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare.
Chapter 1
Act I
Love's Labour's Lost — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 2
Scene I
The King of Navarre and his lords, Biron, Longaville, and Dumain, swear an oath to dedicate themselves to study, fasting, and avoiding women for three years. Biron wittily argues against the strictures, but ultimately signs. The king introduces Armado as a source of entertainment. Costard is brought in under arrest for being found with Jaquenetta, and Armado's elaborate letter is read aloud, detailing the offense.
Chapter 3
Scene II
Armado and Moth engage in witty banter about melancholy and love. Armado confesses his love for Jaquenetta, the country girl, and orders Moth to sing. Dull arrives with Costard and Jaquenetta, instructing Armado to keep Costard safe and fast him three days a week, while Jaquenetta is assigned to the park. Armado declares his love to Jaquenetta, who responds with mockery. After they leave, Armado laments his forsworn love, citing Samson, Solomon, and Hercules as precedents, and resolves to write sonnets.
Chapter 4
Act II
Love's Labour's Lost — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 5
Scene I
The Princess of France arrives at Navarre with her ladies Rosaline, Maria, and Katharine, accompanied by Boyet. They learn that the King has sworn an oath to keep women from his court for three years. The Princess sends Boyet to negotiate entry. The King and his lords (Biron, Longaville, Dumain) meet them, but the King refuses entry to the court, offering only outdoor hospitality. A dispute over Aquitaine's payment arises. Biron and Rosaline engage in witty banter, and the lords inquire about the ladies. Boyet observes that the King is falling in love with the Princess.
Chapter 6
Act III
Love's Labour's Lost — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 7
Scene I
Armado, with his page Moth, engages in witty banter and wordplay before sending Costard to deliver a letter to Jaquenetta. Biron then hires Costard to deliver a letter to Rosaline, revealing his own reluctant love.
Chapter 8
Act IV
Love's Labour's Lost — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 9
Scene I
The Princess of France and her ladies arrive in Navarre and prepare for a hunt. Costard delivers a letter from Biron intended for Rosaline, but it is actually a love letter from Armado to Jaquenetta. The ladies and Boyet engage in witty banter about love and archery.
Chapter 10
Scene II
Holofernes, Sir Nathaniel, and Dull engage in pedantic wordplay about a deer hunt. Jaquenetta and Costard enter with a letter from Don Armado, which Holofernes reads and identifies as being from Biron to Rosaline. Holofernes criticizes the verses and invites Nathaniel to dine with him, where he will prove the poem unlearned.
Chapter 11
Scene III
The lords of Navarre are each discovered privately composing love poems, breaking their oaths of celibacy. Biron, the king, Longaville, and Dumain each confess their love for Rosaline, the Princess, Maria, and Katharine respectively. They confront each other's hypocrisy, then resolve to woo the ladies together, planning revels and disguises.
Chapter 12
Act V
Love's Labour's Lost — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 13
Scene I
Holofernes, Sir Nathaniel, and Dull engage in pedantic wordplay. Armado, Moth, and Costard join them, and they discuss arranging an entertainment for the princess, deciding to present the Nine Worthies.
Chapter 14
Scene II
The Princess and her ladies mock the love letters and gifts they have received from the King and his lords. Boyet brings news that the lords are approaching disguised as Muscovites to court them, and the ladies plan to outwit them by swapping favors and masks.
