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

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lady Rosaline, Rosaline Madam

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

## Snapshot

The Princess's quick-tongued attendant, dark of brow and sharp of wit, who trades barbs with Biron and becomes the target of his most extravagant praise.

## Who they are

Rosaline is one of the three ladies attending the Princess, introduced through Biron's awestruck description of her black beauty as a 'wood divine' that turns the fashion of the day. She gives as good as she gets: when Biron complains his heart is sick, she prescribes letting blood and offers to prick it with her knife, matching his puns stroke for stroke. Her sparring with Biron is the play's wittiest courtship, and her refusal to be won by mere rhetoric forces him to examine whether his love is real or just another exercise in style.

## Relationships

### [Princess of France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/characters/princess_of_france)

_friendship_

The Princess and Rosaline are close ladies-in-waiting, sharing confidences and supporting each other in romantic schemes.

### [Biron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/characters/biron)

_romantic_

Biron is passionately in love with Rosaline, though their relationship is marked by sharp verbal sparring.

### [Boyet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/characters/boyet)

_friendship_

Boyet and Rosaline are witty companions and fellow members of the Princess's retinue.

### [King of Navarre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/characters/king_of_navarre)

_social_

The King and Rosaline interact as part of the courtly social circle, with Rosaline often teasing him.

## In the story

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

Describes Biron as a merry wit; engages in rapid-fire banter with Biron.

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

Rosaline is the lady Biron loves; he sends her a letter via Costard and describes her in his soliloquy.

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

Participates in the banter with Boyet and is the intended recipient of Biron's letter.

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

Receives verses from Biron and engages in witty banter with Katharine; vows to torture Biron.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_s_labour_s_lost_se/characters/rosaline
- 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