Love’s Labour’s Lost · Chapter
Scene II explained
Holofernes, Sir Nathaniel, and Dull engage in pedantic wordplay about a deer hunt.
What happens
Holofernes, Sir Nathaniel, and Dull engage in pedantic wordplay about a deer hunt. Jaquenetta and Costard enter with a letter from Don Armado, which Holofernes reads and identifies as being from Biron to Rosaline. Holofernes criticizes the verses and invites Nathaniel to dine with him, where he will prove the poem unlearned.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional peak where Biron, the play’s most vocal oppon…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Wit and Language
Holofernes and Nathaniel engage in elaborate wordplay and Latin quotations, while Dull's literal-mindedness contrasts with their pedantry.
- Folly of Learning
Holofernes' excessive erudition and criticism of the poem highlight the absurdity of overvaluing academic display.
- Deception and Disguise
The letter from Biron to Rosaline is misdelivered, leading to confusion and potential deception.
Characters to notice
- Holofernes
The pedantic schoolmaster who critiques the letter and verses, displaying his learning and wit.
- Sir Nathaniel
The curate who admires Holofernes' learning and is invited to dine.
- Anthony Dull
The constable who misunderstands Holofernes' Latin and wordplay.
- Jaquenetta
Brings the letter from Armado to Holofernes for reading.
- Costard
Accompanies Jaquenetta and delivers the letter.
- Biron
Identified as the author of the letter to Rosaline, though not present.
Key passages
“vir sapit qui pauca loquitur”
He is wise who speaks little.
Holofernes quotes a Latin proverb as Jaquenetta and Costard enter.
“Fauste, precor gelida quando pecus omne sub umbra Ruminat”
Faustus, I pray, when all the flock rests in the cool shade, chewing the cud.
Holofernes begins quoting the Renaissance poet Mantuan before breaking off.
“If love make me forsworn, how shall I swear to love?”
If love causes me to break my oath, how can I swear to love faithfully?
Opening line of Biron's poem read by Nathaniel.
“Ovidius Naso was the man: and why, indeed, Naso, but for smelling out the odouriferous flowers of fancy”
Ovid was the master, and he was called Naso because he could sniff out the sweet flowers of imagination.
Holofernes praises Ovid for his poetic invention.
“The preyful princess pierced and prick'd a pretty pleasing pricket”
The predatory princess stabbed a handsome young deer.
Holofernes' alliterative epitaph for the deer killed by the princess.
