Playful, Poetic, Language-obsessed
Witty banter is almost another character in this play. Seriously: the plot just seems like an excuse for Shakespeare to indulge his taste and talent for putting words together. Have you ever seen so many letters read aloud in a play?
But, because it's so old, language in Shakespeare can be difficult. And the language of Love's Labour's Lost is certainly no exception. Here are some conventions to watch for:
The Pun or Quibble
These are the kind of groan-worthy jokes that might seem a little cheesy. A pun plays on words: either two different meanings of the same word, or on the sound or meaning of two different words. When Rosaline finds out Berowne has written her a love letter, Boyet asks, "Who is the shooter?" (4.1.123). He's referring to the hunt they're involved in, but also making a joke about Rosaline's suitor.
Ugh. It's like Shakespeare is making a Dad joke.
Rhyme
You are probably already familiar with this one. Love's Labour's Lost is full of rhyme—like the scene with the boys in trees. Rhyme is playful, melodious and funny (and full of puns and sexual innuendo as well):
MARIA: Come, come, you talk greasily. Your lips grow foul.
COSTARD: She's too hard for you at pricks, sir. Challenge her
to bowl.
BOYET: I fear too much rubbing. Good night, my good owl. (4.2.161-164)
We get the triple threat of the "owl" rhyme, and we also gets some super-sassy plays on the words "pricks" and "rubbing." Simmer down there, Shakes.
(Oh, and take a look at "Tools of Characterization" for more about when Shakespeare uses verse and when he uses prose.)
Sonnets
This play has five—count 'em, five—sonnets.
Quick recap: a sonnet is a poem of fourteen lines that rhyme according to particular rules, and often taking up the subject of love and romance. Shakespeare is the most famous English sonnet-writer—he wrote about 150 around the same time as he was composing Love's Labour's Lost. Here's one by Longaville:
Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye,
'Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument,
Persuade my heart to this false perjury?
Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment.
A woman I forswore, but I will prove,
Thou being a goddess, I forswore not thee.
My vow was earthly, thou a heavenly love.
Thy grace being gained cures all disgrace in me.
Vows are but breath, and breath a vapor is.
Then thou, fair sun, which on my earth dost
shine,
Exhal'st this vapor-vow; in thee it is.
If broken, then, it is no fault of mine.
If by me broke, what fool is not so wise
To lose an oath to win a paradise? (4.3.59-73)
Aww, shucks. Put that in a Valentine's Day card and watch your sweetie melt.
The sonnets aren't just an actor's chance to show off in Love's Labour's Lost; they are also important to the plot. It's Costard's mix-up in delivering the sonnets that causes Berowne to be outed as a lover, moving the story forward.
Bonus: if you're interested in sonnets (or looking to woo someone hardcore) be sure to check out some more of Shakespeare's sonnets.
Stichomythia
This is a long, SAT word for the one-liner. Think television sitcoms—the characters banter, the pace is fast, the energy is high. Long sections of stichomythia make up the "sets of wit" that are all over the play. Like this one in which Boyet tortures Longaville:
LONGAVILLE
I beseech you, a word. What is she in the white?
BOYET
A woman sometimes, an you saw her in the light.
LONGAVILLE
Perchance light in the light. I desire her name.
BOYET
She hath but one for herself; to desire that were a
shame.
LONGAVILLE
Pray you, sir, whose daughter?
BOYET
Her mother's, I have heard.
LONGAVILLE
God's blessing on your beard! (2.1.203-120)
You can almost hear the laugh track in the background.