56 pages • 1 hour read
William Shakespeare, Henry R. WoudhuysenA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Love’s Labour’s Lost does not have a sole protagonist, but the closest equivalent to protagonists are the four Lords, whose objectives drive the action: The Masculine Pursuit of Love is in opposition to the oath they swear in the opening scene, creating the primary source of tension in the play. The King is the leader of their group, and his decisions lead the rest of the Lords, such as binding them all to the oath. Although he is their social superior, he also has a companionable relationship with them: They banter together, and the Lords pursue their affections for the ladies independently of his approval initially.
The King aspires to fame for himself and his court. He hopes that “Navarre shall be the wonder of the world” (1.1.12), suggesting he is motivated by regal pride. His ideas about his court as a haven of learning and elevated nobility tie into medieval ideals of elevated courtly life and the humanist thinking developed during the last century, which emphasized the value of learning in politics. This establishes the centrality of Fantasy Versus Reality: The King’s imagined idealized court is immediately challenged by his necessity and willingness to break his oath, as he must interact with the Princess for his political duties, and then chooses to out of desire.
Plus, gain access to 8,350+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
By these authors
Appearance Versus Reality
View Collection
Books that Feature the Theme of...
View Collection
British Literature
View Collection
Comedies & Satirical Plays
View Collection
Laugh-out-Loud Books
View Collection
Marriage
View Collection
Romance
View Collection
Truth & Lies
View Collection
Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love
View Collection