Love's labor
Meaning
Work undertaken out of deep affection or devotion, often implying that the effort may be unrewarded, wasted, or ultimately futile.
Origin
The phrase draws its poetic power and widespread recognition from William Shakespeare's early comedy, "Love's Labour's Lost," first performed around 1598. The play features a King and his three lords who swear an oath to forgo women for three years to dedicate themselves to study and fasting. Predictably, their solemn vows quickly crumble when a French Princess and her ladies arrive, leading to a comedic series of misdirected affections and broken promises. The very title is a witty paradox: their "labor" to avoid love ultimately becomes "lost" to the very emotion they sought to escape, illustrating an effort that yields an ironic or contrary result, often driven by matters of the heart.
Examples
- She spent years documenting local history, a true love's labor, knowing it might only ever be read by a handful of people.
- Despite the long hours and minimal pay, restoring the old lighthouse was a love's labor for the dedicated volunteers.