1993
In 1593 London, a young William Shakespeare suffers from writer's block while indebted to theatre owner Philip Henslowe, who is being threatened by moneylender Fennyman. Will finds inspiration and falls in love with Viola De Lesseps, a noblewoman who disguises herself as a man, Thomas Kent, to audition for his new play, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter." Their secret affair fuels Will's writing, transforming his play into "Romeo and Juliet," but Viola is betrothed to the cruel Lord Wessex, a marriage arranged by Queen Elizabeth I. When the Master of the Revels, Tilney, closes Henslowe's Rose Theatre for indecency, the company moves to Burbage's Curtain Theatre, but the lead actor falls ill on opening night.
Save the Cat beat sheet
In Shakespeare in Love, a blocked playwright meets his muse in disguise, igniting a passionate affair that both inspires his greatest work and imperils their futures.
Open full beat sheetWill Shakespeare is listed as Playwright. A struggling poet and playwright suffering from writer's block. In the parsed data, Will Shakespeare is connected to 49 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
49 scenes / 32 dialogue linesViola De Lesseps is listed as Noblewoman / Actor. A beautiful, intelligent woman who dreams of acting and poetry. In the parsed data, Viola De Lesseps is connected to 41 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
41 scenes / 24 dialogue linesPhilip Henslowe is listed as Theatre Owner. A theatre owner with a cash flow problem. In the parsed data, Philip Henslowe is connected to 17 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
17 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLord Wessex is listed as Villain. A cruel, self-important nobleman seeking to marry Viola for her fortune. In the parsed data, Lord Wessex is connected to 15 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
15 scenes / 7 dialogue linesNurse is listed as Viola's Nurse. Viola's loyal and protective nurse. In the parsed data, Nurse is connected to 14 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
14 scenes / 2 dialogue linesFennyman is listed as Money Lender. A ruthless money lender who becomes a theatre producer. In the parsed data, Fennyman is connected to 12 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 5 dialogue linesNed Alleyn is listed as Actor. A handsome, arrogant, and talented actor. In the parsed data, Ned Alleyn is connected to 12 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
12 scenes / 4 dialogue linesRichard Burbage is listed as Actor. England's most famous actor, leader of the Chamberlain's Men. In the parsed data, Richard Burbage is connected to 9 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 67.
9 scenes / 2 dialogue linesTilney is listed as Censor. The officious Master of the Revels. In the parsed data, Tilney is connected to 7 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 67.
7 scenes / 4 dialogue linesJohn Webster is listed as Urchin. A young, morbid boy who loves violence. In the parsed data, John Webster is connected to 7 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 67.
7 scenes / 2 dialogue linesQueen Elizabeth is listed as Monarch. The aging, powerful Queen of England. In the parsed data, Queen Elizabeth is connected to 4 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
4 scenes / 12 dialogue linesChristopher Marlowe is listed as Playwright. A successful, talented playwright and friend to Will. In the parsed data, Christopher Marlowe is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 9.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDr. Moth is listed as Apothecary / Seer. An apothecary, alchemist, and early psychoanalyst. In the parsed data, Dr. Moth is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 5.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesHenslowe is being tortured by Fennyman and his men over a debt. He promises a new play by Shakespeare to secure a partnership and avoid further harm.
Philip Henslowe, Fennyman, John Webster, TilneyHenslowe visits Will to demand the play, but Will is suffering from writer's block.
Philip Henslowe, Will ShakespeareHenslowe follows Will, pressuring him for the play and money.
Philip Henslowe, Will ShakespeareA Puritan preacher harangues the crowd about the evils of the theatre.
Philip Henslowe, Will ShakespeareWill seeks help from Dr. Moth for his writer's block and personal life.
Will Shakespeare, Dr. MothWill visits the palace during a performance of his play, encountering Burbage and Rosaline.
Philip Henslowe, Will Shakespeare, Richard Burbage, Ned Alleyn, Christopher MarloweViola expresses her desire for poetry and adventure to her nurse.
Viola De Lesseps, NurseWill discovers Rosaline with Tilney, leading to a confrontation.
Will Shakespeare, TilneyWill meets Marlowe at the tavern to discuss their respective plays and the concept of Romeo and Juliet.
Will Shakespeare, Christopher MarloweHenslowe and Will hold auditions for the new play.
Philip Henslowe, Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, John Webster, TilneyWill searches for the boy actor who auditioned.
Will ShakespeareWill chases Thomas Kent through the streets.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsWill follows Thomas Kent's boat by taxi boat.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsViola returns home and changes out of her disguise.
Viola De Lesseps, NurseWill arrives at the house looking for Thomas Kent.
Will Shakespeare, NurseViola reads Will's letter in the bath.
Viola De Lesseps, NurseWill sneaks into the party and meets Viola.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Lord WessexWill and Viola have a balcony encounter.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, NurseRehearsals begin with the Admiral's Men.
Philip Henslowe, Fennyman, Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Ned Alleyn, John WebsterViola, disguised as Thomas, rushes to her room while Wessex rants elsewhere.
Viola De Lesseps, Lord WessexWessex confronts the Nurse about Viola's absence, then meets Viola.
Lord Wessex, Nurse, Viola De LessepsViola writes a farewell letter to Will.
Viola De Lesseps, Will ShakespeareRehearsal of Romeo and Juliet; Will arrives with new pages.
Ned Alleyn, Will Shakespeare, Richard BurbageWill performs his writing rituals.
Will ShakespeareWill bumps into Burbage while rushing.
Will Shakespeare, Richard BurbageWill follows Viola's boat.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsWill and Viola discuss their love and the letter.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsWill climbs to Viola's balcony.
Will ShakespeareWill and Viola reunite and make love.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, NurseWill and Viola wake up on Sunday morning; Will discusses his play's plot while Wessex shouts from downstairs.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Lord Wessex, NurseWessex demands the Nurse produce Viola for the Queen's visit to Greenwich.
Lord Wessex, NurseWill and Viola argue about her upcoming marriage to Wessex; Will decides to accompany her to Greenwich.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsViola descends the stairs with Will disguised as her country cousin.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Lord WessexRoyal festivities at Greenwich; the Queen questions Viola and accepts a wager from Will.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Lord Wessex, Queen ElizabethMarlowe visits Burbage; Burbage discovers Will's betrayal regarding the play.
Will Shakespeare, Richard Burbage, Christopher MarloweA massive brawl breaks out between the Admiral's Men and the Chamberlain's Men.
Philip Henslowe, Fennyman, Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Richard Burbage, Ned AlleynThe actors celebrate their victory; news arrives that Marlowe is dead.
Philip Henslowe, Fennyman, Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Ned AlleynWill appears in church, terrifying Wessex, who flees.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Lord Wessex, NurseWill and Viola reconcile and express their love.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsWill continues working on the play with the company.
Philip Henslowe, Fennyman, Will ShakespeareWill rehearses the play with the company, explaining the plot of Romeo and Juliet to the actors.
Will Shakespeare, Philip Henslowe, Fennyman, Ned Alleyn, Viola De LessepsWill gives Viola the manuscript of the play and they read a new scene together.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsWill and Viola rehearse the farewell scene, which turns into lovemaking, observed by John Webster.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, John WebsterTilney pays Webster for information.
Tilney, John WebsterFennyman rehearses his lines as the Apothecary while Wessex arrives.
Fennyman, Lord WessexWessex confronts Will, leading to a duel and the eventual closure of the theatre by Tilney.
Lord Wessex, Will Shakespeare, John Webster, Tilney, Viola De Lesseps, Philip HensloweViola reads the play in despair.
Viola De Lesseps, NurseThe company drowns their sorrows until Burbage arrives to offer the Curtain Theatre.
Will Shakespeare, Philip Henslowe, Fennyman, Richard Burbage, Ned AlleynPosters for the play are put up.
Will Shakespeare, Philip HensloweWessex negotiates his marriage to Viola.
Lord Wessex, Viola De Lesseps, NurseViola and Wessex are married.
Lord Wessex, Viola De Lesseps, NurseWessex realizes Viola has fled.
Lord Wessex, Viola De LessepsThe company prepares for the performance of Romeo and Juliet.
Ned Alleyn, Will Shakespeare, Philip Henslowe, FennymanThe play begins with Viola stepping in as Juliet.
Viola De Lesseps, Will Shakespeare, Philip Henslowe, Richard Burbage, FennymanEdward performs as the Friar giving Juliet the potion.
Ned AlleynWill and Fennyman perform the Apothecary scene.
Will Shakespeare, FennymanTilney marches toward the theatre.
TilneyRomeo finds Juliet dead; they share a moment.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsBurbage, Rosaline, Kempe, and whores watch the play.
Richard BurbageRomeo drinks the poison.
Will ShakespeareFennyman is proud of his performance.
FennymanRomeo dies and Juliet wakes up.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsThe Nurse reacts to the play.
NurseJuliet kills herself.
Viola De LessepsThe Prince delivers the final lines and the audience applauds.
Will and Viola embrace; Henslowe realizes it is a hit.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Philip HensloweTilney interrupts the bows to arrest the company.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De Lesseps, Richard Burbage, Ned Alleyn, Queen Elizabeth, Lord WessexThe Queen exits.
Queen ElizabethThe Queen settles the wager with Wessex and speaks to Viola.
Queen Elizabeth, Lord Wessex, Viola De LessepsWill and Viola say goodbye and discuss the next play.
Will Shakespeare, Viola De LessepsWill writes Twelfth Night.
Will ShakespeareVisuals of the shipwreck.
Viola De LessepsViola walks on the beach.
Viola De LessepsEyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! and lips, Oh you The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death! Come, bitter conduct; come, unsavory guide! Thou desparate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark!
It was the lark, the herald of the morn, No nightingale. Look, love, what envious streaks Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east. Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. I must be gone and live, or stay and die.
Yes, the illusion is remarkable and your error, Mr. Tilney, easily forgiven, but I know something of a woman in a man's profession, yes, by God, I do know about that. That is enough from you, Maser Kent. If only Lord Wessex were here.
No warmth, no breath shall testify thou livest And in this borrow'd likeness of shrunk death Thou shall continue two and forty hours And then awake as from a pleasant sleep
Everybody! The Admiral's Men, The Chamberlain's Men and everyone of you ne'er-do-wells who stands in contempt of the authority invested in me by her Majesty.
whose soul is greater than the ocean and her spirit stronger than the sea's embrace not for her watery end, but a new life beginning on a stranger shore
The Queen of England does not attend exhibitions of public lewdness so something is out of joint. Come here, Master Kent. Let me look at you.
In heaven, perhaps. It is not a comedy I am writing now. A broad river divides my lovers--family, duty, fate--as unchangeable as nature.
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