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

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

The misdelivery of Armado's letter and the mistaken identities highlight the theme of deception.

### Wit and Language

The characters engage in elaborate wordplay and double entendres, especially during the archery and love banter.

## Character check-ins

### Princess of France

Arrives with her train, prepares for the hunt, and intercepts the misdelivered letter.

### Boyet

Engages in witty repartee with the ladies and reads Armado's letter aloud.

### Rosaline

Participates in the banter with Boyet and is the intended recipient of Biron's letter.

### Maria

Joins the verbal sparring with Boyet and Costard.

### Katharine

Present during the scene and exits with Rosaline after the exchange with Boyet.

### Costard

Delivers the misdirected letter from Biron to the Princess, mistaking her for Rosaline.

### Don Adriano de Armado

Author of the letter read aloud, which is actually addressed to Jaquenetta.

## Key lines

> Thus dost thou hear the Nemean lion roar 'Gainst thee, thou lamb, that standest as his prey.

You hear the mighty lion roar at you, the lamb who is his prey.

_Armado's letter uses grandiose imagery to assert dominance over Jaquenetta._

> Thou canst not hit it, hit it, hit it, Thou canst not hit it, my good man.

You cannot succeed in your aim, my good man.

_Rosaline teases Boyet with a song-like retort during their witty exchange._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/chapters/act-iv-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