# Scene I explained — Love’s Labour’s Lost

> Chapter companion for Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wit and Language

The scene is filled with puns, riddles, and playful banter between Armado, Moth, and Costard, showcasing the power of clever speech.

### Deception and Disguise

Armado and Biron both use letters and intermediaries to secretly pursue their loves, hiding their true intentions.

### Love vs. Oath

Biron, who previously mocked love and swore off women, now admits his love for Rosaline, breaking his earlier oath.

## Character check-ins

### Don Adriano de Armado

Armado commands Moth to sing, then sends Costard with a letter to Jaquenetta, displaying his affected rhetoric and love-sickness.

### Moth

Moth engages in clever wordplay with Armado, mocking his master's love and providing witty commentary.

### Costard

Costard is freed by Armado and given a letter for Jaquenetta; he later accepts a shilling from Biron to deliver a letter to Rosaline.

### Biron

Biron hires Costard to deliver a letter to Rosaline, lamenting his own fall into love despite his former mockery of it.

### Jaquenetta

Jaquenetta is the intended recipient of Armado's letter, referred to as the 'country maid.'

### Rosaline

Rosaline is the lady Biron loves; he sends her a letter via Costard and describes her in his soliloquy.

## Key lines

> Warble, child; make passionate my sense of hearing.

Sing, boy, and stir my emotions through sound.

_Armado commands Moth to sing, setting a romantic tone._

> By my penny of observation.

Through my small but careful experience.

_Moth explains how he gained his worldly knowledge._

> Remuneration! O, that's the Latin word for three farthings.

Remuneration! That's just a fancy term for three farthings.

_Costard misinterprets 'remuneration' as a small coin, showing his ignorance._

> What, I! I love! I sue! I seek a wife!

What, me! I am in love! I court! I seek a wife!

_Biron expresses shock at his own romantic feelings._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/chapters