SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

1. Plot

The story of Shakespeare in Love is basically classical, but tends toward a

formalist style. It is a revisionist romantic comedy, because it rejects many of the

genre's conventions. It is complicated by the number of minor plot lines and further

modified by the tragic ending.

The basic story behind a romantic comedy is always focused on the couple the

protagonists. In this case, Will Shakespeare and Lady Viola de Lesseps are in love,

but they do not discover this until they first meet a third into the film. Therefore, the

movie does not seem to "start," in terms of the main plot line, until that point. The

preceding parts of the movie are spent setting up the events of that not-yet-realized

story.

The ending, too, diverges from traditional romantic comedy, and from classical

cinema. Really, it is a "romantic tragedy" that happens to be funny. After a classical-

seeming climax, where various conflicts are favorably resolved, the two lovers are

separated. I apply the formalistic label to this because it is heavily anticipated

throughout the film, and in the context of the movie, it seems to be fate. The writers'

and director's hands in the story are quite clear.

The film is revisionist in its genre because of the romantic comedy conventions

that it rejects. But an interesting aspect of the film is the fact that much of the story is

stolen from Shakespeare's plays. Some of it directly mirrors Romeo and Juliet, while

some plot ideas mistaken identity, cross dressing, a ghost, swordfights, class

distinctions, and bitter dramatic irony are distinctive devices of his. By mirroring
 another artist rather than reality, the story is pushed even more towards the

formalistic.

2. Character

a. Will Shakespeare (Major character as protagonist character), this character is

renowned for the great love he showed toward Viola De Lesseps. In this film

Will Shakespeare sharing as director a stage that the title Romeo and Ethel the

Pirate's Daughter.

b. Viola De Lesseps (Major character as protagonist character), is beautiful girl

and she is also from a powerful Verona family. She is rebellious, kind, and

loving. She very loves Will Shakespeare and she shows her kindness in the

way she is treated by the preacher, her nurse and others. And also she will be

married with Lord Wessex by command her father, but constantly dreams of

becoming an actress. In this film she incognito to be a young man that name

Thomas Kent.

c. Lord Wessex (Minor character), a man who will be married with Viola De

Lesseps but contrary not become.

d. Nurse, Viola assistance

e. Elizabeth Queen I, the queen of London as flat character

f. Hugh Fennyman

3. Setting

The setting in Shakespeare in love is take place in London in 15th century.

4. Themes

The greatest theme in this play is that Romantic comedy of love. This play is

known for love as many phrases from this play have become famous for the

expressions of love. And also this play shows two lovers doing everything they could

to be together despite their feuding family, and also despite death.

5. Music Background

Music background in Shakespeare in love is play only instrument music that

nearly joins in ever time. Moreover, the music is not live. Sometime the instrument

music describes their feeling based on what is going on.

Drama Assignment

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

Ld. Muh. Idrus Hamid B.

A1D1 06 029

ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM

TEACHING TRAINING AND EDUCATION FACULTY
HALUOLEO UNIVERSITY
KENDARI
2009