Love's Labor's Lost: Act 2, Scene 1 Summary & Analysis

The princess of France enters with her attendants: Boyet, Katherine, Rosaline, and Maria. Complimenting her beauty, Boyet reminds the princess to be charming toward Ferdinand, as she has been sent to negotiate an exchange of land on behalf of her father. The princess, having heard of Ferdinand’s vow to ban women from his court, sends Boyet ahead to tell Ferdinand that she has come to see him “on serious business.”

The princess asks her attendants about the lords that have agreed to Ferdinand’s vow to study for three years without women. Maria describes Longaville as wise, virtuous, and “glorious in arms.” Katherine says that Dumaine is “a well-accomplished youth” with much wit. Rosaline tells the princess about Berowne, whom she describes as skilled with words, witty, and merry. Hearing such praise, the princess wonders whether her three attendants are in love with these three men.

Boyet returns and tells the princess that Ferdinand plans to have her and her attendants camp out in the field outside of his court, as if they were attacking enemies. Ferdinand then enters with Longaville, Dumaine, and Berowne. Ferdinand welcomes the princess, but she is offended at not being allowed into his actual court.

Ferdinand apologizes and explains that he has “sworn an oath,” about which the princess teases him, taking advantage of his dilemma: he wants to welcome her as a good host, but cannot violate his own oath. Meanwhile, Rosaline and Berowne flirt with each other, having recognized each other from a dance. They trade snappy, witty remarks with each other.

Ferdinand reads a letter from the princess’ father offering a sum of money for the territory of Aquitaine. He says that it is only half as much as he requires. He says that the princess’ “fair self” would make him accept the proposed deal, were it not so unreasonable. The princess insists that her father already paid Ferdinand the other half of the fee he desires. Boyet says that the papers proving this exchange will arrive tomorrow.

Ferdinand says he will be reasonable when he sees these papers. He promises to make the princess welcome and comfortable outside of his court, even though she is “denied fair harbour in my house,” then leaves. Berowne trades more witty quips with Rosaline, and Dumaine then asks Boyet what Katherine’s name is, calling her “a gallant lady,” before leaving. Longaville asks about Maria, whom he thinks is “a most sweet lady,” then exits. Berowne asks Boyet for Rosaline’s name and then leaves.

Maria tells Boyet about Berowne, who is a constant jokester. They trade witticisms, until the princess tells them to stop “this civil war of wits” and save their cleverness for Ferdinand and his men. Boyet tells the princess that Ferdinand seemed to be in love with her, as evidenced by the way he spoke to and looked at her. Rosaline calls Boyet a “love-monger” and Maria calls him “Cupid’s grandfather.”