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Overview
Synopsis
King Ferdinand of Navarre has sworn an oath that for three years, he will transform his kingdom into an “academe” (a little academy). His subjects will reject the world’s pleasures, including women, in favor of an ascetic lifestyle and a complete commitment to their studies. Trouble comes in the form of The Princess of France and her three ladies-in-waiting (Rosaline, Maria and Katherine), with whom the King and his lords (Berowne, Longaville, and Dumaine) fall in love almost immediately. Love’s Labour's Lost details the antics that ensue when one attempts to deny one’s instincts, but is confronted with the overwhelming power of love.
Show Information
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1598
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 16th century
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
Love’s Labour's Lost is one of Shakespeare’s early plays, believed to have been written in the mid-1590s. Notably, it is his only story that does not have a plot derived from an already existing source, which has led some scholars to believe that it may be Shakespeare’s only original plotline. The characters, however, may be loosely based on historical figures: a contemporary of Shakespeare’s, Henri King of Navarre, was frequently gossiped about in Elizabethan circles, and two of his
to read the context for Love’s Labour's Lost and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
Ferdinand, the King of Navarre (a small, independent region in northern Spain) has issued an edict to his countrymen demanding them to eschew various pleasures (including women, food and sleep) and commit themselves to academic learning for a period of three years. Three of his Lords, Berowne, Longaville and Dumain, have agreed to sign a contract detailing the various regulations involved in this agreement. Longaville and Dumain sign, but Berowne expresses doubts. Namely, Berowne
to read the plot for Love’s Labour's Lost and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Popular in Renaissance England, stories set in the countryside, often with shepherds.
Description of material not protected by copyright law.
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