So much for staying away from girls.

As we are reading Love's Labor's Lost, it's almost comical (probably intentionally) how quickly the king and his three lords start to deviate from their plan to study and see no women for 3 years. Before they've even signed the agreement the king realizes he must meet with a princess soon. And once the king and his lords reach the princess and her ladies all hope is lost. Flirting ensues.

The conversations that go on between the men and women in Act 2 are quick and witty. They remind me a lot of the kind of talk in Much Ado About Nothing that goes on between Benedick and Beatrice. And since we know that Benedick and Beatrice end up together, even though they originally seemed to hate each other, it is pretty obvious what is going on here in Love's Labor's Lost:

Biron. Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?
Rosaline. Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?
Biron. I know you did. 605
Rosaline. How needless was it then to ask the question!
Biron. You must not be so quick.
Rosaline. 'Tis 'long of you that spur me with such questions.
Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire.
Rosaline. Not till it leave the rider in the mire. 610
Biron. What time o' day?
Rosaline. The hour that fools should ask.
Biron. Now fair befall your mask!
Rosaline. Fair fall the face it covers!
Biron. And send you many lovers! 615
Rosaline. Amen, so you be none.
Biron. Nay, then will I be gone.

Biron tries to be nice, Rosaline's a little fiesty, but by the end of their back and forth they've fallen into rhyme with each other. I can hear the wedding bells already.. Shakespeare is awesome at witty banter. It's one of the things that make his comedies funny, and his romances bearable. This art of witty banter seems to be Shakespeare's opinion of the best way to find your eternal companion. Lucky for us it can be mastered in just ten easy steps. Enjoy. But maybe don't try it out on the first date... Just in case.
Back on track, it seems to me like there is a pretty standard form of humor in Shakespeare's comedies. It's either love at first sight, or witty banter and insults until they realize they're meant to be together. Maybe Love's Labor's Lost's king and his lords with mix things up a bit for us. But so far I'm doubtful.. To illustrate, even taking into account that the movies below are both Kenneth Branagh films, the covers might as well be advertising the same play with different actors. Plus or minus a perfectly matched and awkwardly close couple. I'm anxious to see what makes this play different from others.