Love's Labour's Lost
(William Shakespeare)
The young King of Navarre and three of his friends have all
agreed to devote themselves to intellectual pursuit for
three years and, so as not to distract themselves, took a
vow to swear off women for that time period. Unfortunate
for their new resolution, they find at their gates the
Princess of France and three of her noblewomen seeking some
negotiations with the King of Navarre?s court for her
father. However, the young king denies their admittance to
the court because of his vow and they quickly set up camp
outside the gates of the palace to await negotiation.
As the King and his lords become more involved with the
young ladies, they each find themselves in love and try to
make excuses to see the ladies, despite their vows and
attempt to court them.
The Princess and her entourage, though secretly in love
with the men themselves, find the gentlemen?s lack of faith
with their vows something which should be punished. They
each disguise their identity to be wooed by a different man
and tease the men for their lack of constancy.
Soon, however, all is well and the women chastise the men
for giving away their resolve so quickly. However, during
the course of a play which they all mock severely, the news
of the death of the Princess? father comes to her. Resolved
to go in mourning for a year as she and her ladies are
honor bound to do, the women convince the men to also spend
the year in penance, atoning for their broken vows. After
the year, they will be reunited and marry. Thus, though the
play ends on an unhappy note, there is hope for a happier,
and perhaps wiser, future for the young couples.
The play, which is a verse drama, has been considered
Shakespeare?s first play and is not as sophisticated or
powerful as some of his later works.
Resumos Relacionados
- First Love
- The Merry Wives Of Windsor
- As You Like It
- Henry Iv Part Two
- Hamlet
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