In Act 2, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost, the Princess of France responds to Lord Boyet's elaborate compliments with a monologue that reflects her wit and pragmatism.

Title of Monologue:

Princess of France's Monologue from Act 2, Scene 1 of Love's Labour's Lost

Synopsis:

The Princess addresses Lord Boyet, who has been lavishly praising her beauty. She modestly downplays her appearance, stating that genuine beauty is determined by the observer's eye, not by flattering words. She then shifts focus to the diplomatic mission at hand, instructing Boyet to ascertain King Navarre's intentions regarding their visit, given his vow to avoid women's company for three years.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

The Princess and her entourage have arrived at King Navarre's court to discuss the transfer of Aquitaine. Boyet, acting as a courtier, has been extolling the Princess's virtues, perhaps to boost her confidence before the negotiations.

Original Text:

PRINCESS:

Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean,

Needs not the painted flourish of your praise:

Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye,

Not utter'd by base sale of chapmen's tongues:

I am less proud to hear you tell my worth

Than you much willing to be counted wise

In spending your wit in the praise of mine.

But now to task the tasker: good Boyet,

You are not ignorant, all-telling fame

Doth noise abroad, Navarre hath made a vow,

Till painful study shall outwear three years,

No woman may approach his silent court:

Therefore to's seemeth it a needful course,

Before we enter his forbidden gates,

To know his pleasure; and in that behalf,

Bold of your worthiness, we single you

As our best-moving fair solicitor.

Tell him, the daughter of the King of France,

On serious business, craving quick dispatch,

Importunes personal conference with his grace:

Haste, signify so much; while we attend,

Like humble-visaged suitors, his high will.


Translation of Text into Contemporary Language:

PRINCESS:

Good Lord Boyet, although my beauty is only modest, It doesn't require the exaggerated embellishment of your praise: Beauty is determined by the eye's judgment, Not by the cheap talk of peddlers: I'm less pleased to hear you speak of my worth Than you are eager to appear wise By using your wit to praise me. But now to assign a task: good Boyet, You're aware that widespread rumors say Navarre has vowed that for three arduous years of study, No woman may enter his quiet court: Therefore, it seems necessary Before we approach his restricted gates, To know his intentions; and in this matter, Confident in your abilities, we appoint you As our most effective and fair envoy. Tell him, the daughter of the King of France, On serious business, needing swift action, Requests a personal meeting with him: Hurry, convey this message; while we wait, Like humble petitioners, for his high decision.

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words:

  • Mean: Modest or average.

  • Painted flourish: Exaggerated or ornate praise.

  • Chapmen: Peddlers or merchants.

  • Task the tasker: Assign a task to the one who assigns tasks.

  • All-telling fame doth noise abroad: Widespread rumors say.

  • Painful study: Arduous or diligent study.

  • Silent court: A court free from distractions, particularly women.

  • Forbidden gates: Restricted or off-limits entrances.

  • Bold of your worthiness: Confident in your abilities.

  • Best-moving fair solicitor: Most effective and fair envoy.

  • Importunes: Requests urgently.

  • Humble-visaged suitors: Petitioners with humble appearances.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs:

  1. Rejecting Flattery:
    Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise: Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye, Not utter'd by base sale of chapmen's tongues: I am less proud to hear you tell my worth Than you much willing to be counted wise In spending your wit in the praise of mine.
    The Princess modestly downplays her beauty and dismisses Boyet's exaggerated praise, emphasizing that true beauty is determined by personal perception, not by flattering words.

  2. Assigning a Diplomatic Task:
    But now to task the tasker: good Boyet, You are not ignorant, all-telling fame Doth noise abroad, Navarre hath made a vow, Till painful study shall outwear three years, No woman may approach his silent court: Therefore to's seemeth it a needful course, Before we enter his forbidden gates, To know his pleasure; and in that behalf, Bold of your worthiness, we single you As our best-moving fair solicitor.
    She informs Boyet of King Navarre's vow to seclude himself and his court from women for three years of study. Recognizing the potential diplomatic issue, she assigns Boyet the task of clarifying the King's intentions before they proceed.

  3. Requesting an Audience:
    Tell him, the daughter of the King of France, On serious business, craving quick dispatch, Importunes personal conference with his grace: Haste, signify so much; while we attend, Like humble-visaged suitors, his high will.
    The Princess instructs Boyet to convey that she urgently seeks a personal meeting with King Navarre to discuss serious matters, and that she and her attendants will wait humbly for his response.

Journey Keypoints:

  • Hook: The Princess modestly rejects Boyet's flattering remarks.

  • Turning Point: She reveals awareness of King Navarre's vow to avoid women's company.

  • Climax: The Princess assigns Boyet the task of securing an audience with the King.

  • Resolution: She expresses willingness to wait humbly for the King's response.