Shakespeare in Love is directed by John Madden and is a film about the legendary English playwright. The film is about the writing of what many consider Shakespeare’s magnum opus, Romeo and Juliet. The young playwright struggles to find inspiration and meets a disguised aristocratic girl, Viola (Madden, 1998). They fall in love, and he dedicates his current play to her and their newly formed relationship (Madden, 1998).
However, she is to be married to Lord Wessex, and a love triangle appears and begins to escalate (Madden, 1998). Fortunately, the queen resolves the love conflict after the very first play of Romeo and Juliet, but Shakespeare and Viola have to part forever (Madden, 1998). The film’s central question is whether a sincere feeling is a thing that can turn anything, such as entertainment, into true art. As the ending and climax of Shakespeare in Love demonstrates, it can grant one such ability, and I agree with this statement.
Another strength of the film is that it educates its viewers about the historical and cultural areas of the Elizabethan era. For example, I learned that it was a vivacious and energetic society. The way of life of many people was to follow their passions and pursue their desires. Pure and sincere emotion was a sufficient and fair motivation for many English people of that time to risk their money, societal status, and even their lives. It is why Lord Wessex is shown as an emotionally reserved person who prefers social norms and money to human relationships (Madden, 1998). Screenwriters and the director did it to make him look more antagonistic and villainous.
The Depiction of the Elizabethan drama is even more interesting in Shakespeare in Love. As the film shows, it was only entertainment for the queen and those who could afford it (Madden, 1998). It was not an art form with deep analysis of fundamental philosophical topics and discussion of human nature back then. Stage directors, drama writers, and poets were like the online influencers of today. Shakespeare was one of the first to add sincerity, multifacetedness, and complexity to the drama.
Reference
Madden, J. (1998). Shakespeare in love [film]. The Bedford Falls Company.