Dumain, Biron, the King, and Longaville (Shakespeare, Love's Labour's Lost, Act 4, Scene 3) 1825 - 1840

Charles Heath the elder created this engraving, titled Dumain, Biron, the King, and Longaville, referencing Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. Heath lived during a time of significant social and political transformation in England and his work often reflects the values and interests of the British middle class. The men depicted in the image are members of the royal court, identifiable by their clothing and stature. They represent a powerful class, and we see them engaged in a secret rendezvous. Their identities are closely linked to their social status and their roles within the court. Shakespeare's play explores themes of love, desire, and social expectations. The men are bound by oaths to abstain from the pleasures of life, but are tempted by love, leading to humorous and reflective situations. Ultimately, this image and the scene it depicts, encourage us to think about the interplay between the individual and society. Heath's engraving, captures a moment of vulnerability and humanity within the context of power and privilege.