Love’s Labor’s Lost by William Shakespeare is about the King of Navarre and his companions, the Princess of France and her three ladies |
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Love’s Labor’s Lost by William Shakespeare is about the King of Navarre Ferdinand and his companions - Berowne, Dumaine and Longaville – decide to devote themselves to the study and self-improvement for the period of three years. That is putting aside all feelings and thoughts of women and love. However, such a scheme makes Berowne be uncertain of its success.
So, Ferdinand orders all women to remain at least a mile from the court in order to help them keep their vow.
A fantastical Spaniard Don Adriano de Armado tells the King that the rustic Costard, has been spotted in the park with Jaquenetta, a country girl. But this is inadmissible and such a behavior breaks the King's rules. As a result, court jester is told off and handed over to the guest from Spain, who is charged with keeping an eye on him.
Once the King and his followers are settling down to a life of study, the news of the arriving of the Princess of France and her three ladies (Lady Rosaline, Lady Maria, Lady Katharine) flew around the court. Still, the women are forced to camp no closer than a mile away. But soon the King and his companions realize that they are falling for the charms of the ladies.
The fact that the men have broken their vow is revealed in the swapping of letters. They begin to catch each other out composing romantic poetry. On the one hand the King is angry that his men have betrayed their idea, but then his feelings for the Princess forced him also to change his mind. They quickly and unanimously decide to visit the ladies' camp in disguise of Muscovites.
The ladies in their turn swap clothes and impersonate each other in order to pay lords back for the trick. All in all, their true identities are revealed and the lords and ladies are betrothed. But after receiving the news about her father’s death the Princess must leave to ascend the throne.
The King as well as his companions swear to remain faithful to their ladies, whereas the ladies, doubting that their love is true, declare that the men must wait a year and a day as a proof that all they say is real. Finally, the Princess and her ladies depart while men remain awaiting uncertain future.
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