The main source for much of the action in the film is Romeo and Juliet, which the events in the film ultimately inspire Will to write. The film contains many references to other historical characters, not the least of which is Christopher Marlowe ( Rupert Everett), who, in the movie, Shakespeare at first wrongly believes has been killed because he was mistaken for himself, when in fact Marlowe has died in a bar brawl of his own instigation. This one, as ordered by the Queen, is happier, and features a heroine named Viola.
Still, the two lovers must part in their final scene they discuss Shakespeare's next play, " Twelfth Night". There, she plays Juliet to Shakespeare's Romeo and the two lovers' passionate portrayal of two lovers inspires the entire audience, including the Queen, who makes a surprise appearance. Viola receives news that the play is going on on the day of her wedding and escapes her new husband (with the help of her nurse, portrayed by Imelda Staunton) to rush to the theater. However, Shakespeare is offered one last chance by the owner of the competing theatre, and offer that allows him to play his story on a different stage. All hope is lost for the two lovers when Viola is married. Left without a stage and a leading role, all hope seems lost. The Lord of Revels, an official of the Queen ( Judi Dench), discovers that there is a woman in the playhouse and shuts down the entire company. The climax of the film comes days before Viola's wedding to the poor colonist Lord Wessex ( Colin Firth) and the opening night of the play. Viola plays the part of Romeo throughout the rehearsals, but through her pillow-talk with William, learns Juliet's lines as well. Shakespeare begins writing feverishly, and thanks to the pressures of his romance with Viola, who is soon to be married, produces a tragedy instead of the promised comedy. "anon, good nurse" "What light through yonder window breaks?" "It is moonlight".) The element of forbidden love forms the basis of Shakespeare's inspiration, and many of their conversations later show up as some of the most famous quotes in the play. The romance between the two shows obvious allusions to scenes in Romeo and Juliet, including the ballroom scene from act 2 and the balcony scene immediately following it. She is eventually found out by the playwright, and the two share a secret affair. After receiving the part of Romeo, she continues her ruse. Although forbidden by the laws and customs of the 16th century, Viola dresses as a man and auditions for a part in Shakespeare's new play under the alias Thomas Kent. The playwright William Shakespeare is caught with writer's block and searching for a new muse, which he finds in Viola de Lesseps, a young girl inspired by his work and in love with his rhymes.
This play will later be renamed Romeo and Juliet and be reworked into a tragedy (but with some comical undertones with a few characters, like the Nurse). To settle his debt to businessman Hugh Fennyman ( Tom Wilkinson), Shakepeare's patron Philip Henslowe ( Geoffrey Rush) offers Fennyman, a model of a 16th century Loan Shark, a partnership in the upcoming production of Shakespeare's newest comedy, Romeo and Ethel The Pirate's Daughter. According to her, Viola hotly disagrees with the way men play females on stage. The film centres around the forbidden love of William Shakespeare ( Joseph Fiennes) and a noble woman, Viola de Lesseps ( Gwyneth Paltrow).