Love's Labour's Lost

Boyet enters with the Princess, Rosaline, Maria, and Katherine. The King invites them to enter the court. The Princess refuses, saying she cannot allow them to break their oaths. The King claims his oath is already broken because of her, which she denies, defending her virtue. She tells the King that no amount of torment could persuade her to cause them to break their oaths. The King laments leaving them in the field alone, without company. The Princess refutes this—they have been well-entertained by a group of “Muscovites.” Rosaline interjects that she should be truthful about the encounter: The visitors were fools, saying nothing of interest.

Berowne says that Rosaline’s wit makes even witty people seem foolish, as her general brilliance makes everything else seem lesser. Rosaline says he still seems worthy to her, and he declares that he and everything he owns is hers. She asks him which mask he wore earlier, flustering him. The men are embarrassed to realize that the women knew all along that the “Muscovites” were them in disguise. The King wonders how to save the situation, while Rosaline and the Princess tease them.

Berowne acknowledges they have their just desserts for their deception, and invites Rosaline to demolish him with her wit.