Love's Labor's Lost Translation Table of Contents
In Shakespeare’s comedy Love’s Labor’s Lost, King Ferdinand of Navarre and his three loyal friends--the Lords Berowne, Longueville, and Dumaine--decide to retreat from the world to study and fast, foregoing the company of women. However, the Princess of France, and her ladies Rosaline, Maria, and Katherine arrive on political business. Letters are exchanged, hijinks ensue, and the King and lords who said they’d give up women end up falling in love with the Princess and her ladies. The Shakescleare translation of this play disentangles its complex comic plot, and illuminates some of Love’s Labor’s Lost’s most noteworthy quotes, including “Love is familiar. Love is a devil. There is no evil angel but Love.”
Act 1, Scene 1
Ferdinand and the other Lords agree to sign a very strict oath. Costard's sexual encounter with Jaquenetta is revealed.
Act 1, Scene 2
Don Adriano de Armado confesses to loving Jaquenetta and they talk briefly. He then moves on to punishing Costard.
Act 2, Scene 1
The Princess and her Ladies arrive in Navarre and are denied entry to the court because of the oath that has been sworn.
Act 3, Scene 1
Armado, lamenting his love, sends Costard with a letter for Jaquenetta. Biron then sends him with a letter for Rosaline.
Act 4, Scene 1
The Princess is given the wrong letter, addressed to Jaquenetta. There is a battle of wit between the Ladies and Boyet.
Act 4, Scene 2
Holofernes and Sir Nathaniel mock Dull. Jaquenetta asks Holofernes to read out her letter, actually meant for Rosaline.
Act 4, Scene 3
The Lords one by one confess to being in love as the others overhear. They decide to forget their oath and pursue love.
Act 5, Scene 1
Holofernes and Moth battle with language. Armado asks Holofernes to help him prepare a play for the Lords and Ladies.
Act 5, Scene 2
A lot of romancing occurs before a messenger announces that the Princess' dad has died and their love is put on hold.
