Love’s Labour’s Lost · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare.
King of Navarre
major
Also known as Navarre, King
The King of Navarre who swears off women for three years of study with his lords.
Biron
major
Also known as Lord Biron, Monsieur Biron
A witty lord of Navarre who falls in love with Rosaline despite his oath.
Longaville
supporting
Also known as Lord Longaville
A lord of Navarre who falls in love with Maria.
Dumain
supporting
Also known as Lord Dumain, fair Dumain
A lord of Navarre who falls in love with Katharine.
Princess of France
major
Also known as Princess
The Princess who comes to Navarre on a diplomatic mission and is courted by the King.
Rosaline
supporting
Also known as Lady Rosaline, Rosaline Madam
A witty lady attending the Princess, courted by Biron.
Maria
supporting
Also known as Maria Two
A lady attending the Princess, courted by Longaville.
Katharine
supporting
Also known as Katharine Veal, Katharine Madam
A lady attending the Princess, courted by Dumain.
Boyet
supporting
Also known as Lord Boyet
A French lord attending the Princess, serving as messenger and go-between.
Costard
supporting
Also known as Costard the swain, goodman Costard
A clownish swain who delivers letters and becomes involved in the lords' schemes.
Don Adriano de Armado
supporting
Also known as Armado, the magnificent Armado
A fantastical Spanish braggart who writes love letters to Jaquenetta.
Moth
supporting
Also known as Moth Master
Armado's clever page who mocks his master's pretensions.
Jaquenetta
supporting
Also known as Jaquenetta Man
A country wench courted by Armado and Costard.
Holofernes
supporting
Also known as Sir Holofernes
A pedantic schoolmaster who performs in the pageant of the Nine Worthies.
Sir Nathaniel
supporting
Also known as Nathaniel
A curate and friend of Holofernes who also performs in the pageant.
Anthony Dull
minor
Also known as Dull, goodman Dull
A constable who delivers messages and appears in the pageant.
Mercade
minor
A messenger who brings news of the French King's death to the Princess.
Pompey the Great
minor
Also known as Pompey, Pompion the Great
A character played by Costard in the pageant of the Nine Worthies.
Hector
minor
Also known as Hector of Troy, brave Hector
A character played by Armado in the pageant of the Nine Worthies.
Judas Maccabaeus
minor
Also known as Judas, poor Maccabaeus
A character played by Holofernes in the pageant of the Nine Worthies.
Alisander
minor
Also known as Alexander
A character played by Sir Nathaniel in the pageant of the Nine Worthies.
Hercules
minor
Also known as great Hercules
A mythological hero referenced and impersonated by Moth in the pageant.
Samson
minor
A biblical strongman referenced by Moth in wordplay.
Cupid
minor
Also known as Dan Cupid, Saint Cupid, sweet Cupid
The god of love, frequently invoked by the lovers.
Jove
minor
Also known as O Jove
The king of the gods, referenced in oaths and comparisons.
Apollo
minor
The god of music and poetry, referenced in praise of wit.
Ajax
minor
A Greek hero referenced in a jest about Holofernes.
Solomon
minor
The biblical wise king, referenced in a proverb.
Adam
minor
The first man, referenced in biblical allusions.
Eve
minor
The first woman, referenced in biblical allusions.
Dick
minor
A generic name used in a jest by Costard.
Joan
minor
A generic name used in a jest by Costard.
Charles
minor
A name mentioned in passing by Armado.
Aquitaine
minor
The duchy disputed between France and Navarre in the play's plot.
