lysinchapters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jbmorgan86's review against another edition
2.0
Shakespeare in a Year, Play #13. I really want to give this a one star rating . . . but The Bard deserves at least two, right? The idea behind this comedy seems like it would make for a funny story: a king and three friends swear off women and the typical bachelor life so that they may take up rigorous studying for the next three years. However, at the same time, the French princess arrives with three of her friends, seeking a place to stay. Of course, Shakespeare uses his typical rom-com mix-up motif to add more drama to the story. Sounds good, right? Wrong.
Little actually happens in the play. The large majority of the play is made up of 16th century English jokes, wordplays, and innuendo. If that weren't enough, the wordplays are laced with Latin. Even with footnotes, it is extremely difficult understanding (and getting through!) this play.
Little actually happens in the play. The large majority of the play is made up of 16th century English jokes, wordplays, and innuendo. If that weren't enough, the wordplays are laced with Latin. Even with footnotes, it is extremely difficult understanding (and getting through!) this play.
charlottesometimes's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
steven_nobody's review against another edition
1.0
A confusing comedy. The language of the play is too highfalutin’ for me.
The highlight is Armado, a Spaniard whose accent and badly chosen words is a great source of amusement. Shakespeare has one of his funniest jokes:
I agree with poet Alexander Pope who wrote in 1743, “Love’s Labour’s Lost is the worst of his plays.” It certainly has made me think that maybe I needn’t read every play Shakespeare wrote.
The highlight is Armado, a Spaniard whose accent and badly chosen words is a great source of amusement. Shakespeare has one of his funniest jokes:
Sir, the king is a noble gentleman, and my familiar. . . . for I must tell thee it will please his grace, by the world, sometime to lean upon my poor shoulder, and with his royal finger thus dally with my excrement, with my mustachio.
I agree with poet Alexander Pope who wrote in 1743, “Love’s Labour’s Lost is the worst of his plays.” It certainly has made me think that maybe I needn’t read every play Shakespeare wrote.
beforeviolets's review against another edition
shakespeare really outdid himself with the penis and cuckold jokes in this one
yousefalkh's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
gretelchen's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely, gorgeous language, albeit it can be easy to get lost. Plus, a play with a whopping four great female characters? Yes! Plus the problem in Shakespeare's comedies (or one of them) for modern readers is that the male lover roles can be huge jerks and usually get away scot-free or with only a slap on the wrist. Here, they are questioned and held accountable. A bittersweet ending as well, unusual for a comedy, with a promise of reunion rather than jumping down the aisle to get married right away.
fortunesdear's review against another edition
2.0
I read this because I am seeing it performed in June. Hopefully, I like it better then since from listening to it on audiobook then it is only okay.
christineandersen's review against another edition
2.0
Probably the most boring Shakespeare play i've read so far.
unrealpunk's review against another edition
3.0
This is pretty disappointing for Shakespeare. There are some amusing moments but it didn't get any big laughs outta me. The banter and wordplay are dynamic at times but not consistently, and it actually gets tedious during the extremely long final scene. And while the Princess, Rosaline, and Berowne have some personality, none of these characters make much of an impression or have much of an arc. This could be an interesting play to study — it feels like Shakespeare was working on things he would later perfect — and there's actually quite a bit going on under the surface that a good production might be able to highlight (although some abridgement might help). But overall, and especially for recreational reading, this is one of the very last Shakespeare plays I would recommend.