Love's Labour's Lost

A riotous feast of language and longing, Love’s Labour’s Lost follows a band of scholarly young men who swear off women and worldly pleasures—only to have their lofty vows undone by wit, flirtation and the irresistible chaos of courtship. Shakespeare fills the play with sparkling wordplay, lyrical songs and a cast of vividly drawn characters, including clever women who match the men for verbal dexterity and moral nimbleness. Playful yet quietly probing, this early comedy delights readers with theatrical flourishes and linguistic fireworks while gently asking whether reason can withstand the deliciously irrational pull of the heart.