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September 01, 2008
An old London labour: law student as critic, lover.
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At Bayswater Road, near Westbourne Gate, not far from Notting Hill, it's not American Labor Day. Brits are working. Me, too. We send you the complete text of a circa-1595 comedy by Shakespeare, here, on one page, to read after the weenie roast. First performed before Queen Elizabeth at her Court in 1597 (as "Loues Labors Loſt"), it was likely written for performance before culturally-literate law students and barristers-in-training--who would appreciate its sophistication and wit--at the Inns of Court or Legal London. Interestingly, it begins with a vow by several men to forswear pleasures of the flesh and the company of fast women during a three-year period of study and reflection. And to "train our intellects to vain delight".
Posted by JD Hull at 11:55 PM | Comments (2)