# Katharine — Love’s Labour’s Lost character guide

> Katharine in Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Katharine Veal, Katharine Madam

**First appearance:** 0004-act-ii

## Snapshot

One of the Princess's ladies, whose generous portrait of young Dumain sets the tone for the courtly games of praise and pursuit.

## Who they are

Katharine attends the Princess on the embassy to Navarre and is the first to describe Dumain, calling him a well-accomplished youth loved for virtue itself, with wit enough to make an ill shape good. Her warm report reveals a temperament inclined to see the best in people, even as the Princess and Rosaline sharpen their tongues around her. That softness will matter as the lords' vows collapse and the ladies must decide how much flattery to believe.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Describes Dumain as a virtuous and graceful youth.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Present during the scene and exits with Rosaline after the exchange with Boyet.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Receives a glove and verses from Dumain; trades sharp words with Rosaline.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/characters/katharine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/characters