The aspiring playwright Will Shakespeare finds himself at a loss for words with his latest endeavor, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirates Daughter. Disgusted with 16th century gender constraints, Lady Viola resolves to beat the system by disguising herself as a man for Shakespeare's auditions. She lands the role of Romeo. Before long, Will discovers the truth about Lady Viola. The camera leers lingeringly at female nudity on several occasions.
Characters graphically engage in sexual intercourse numerous times.
In one scene a knife is threateningly placed against a man's throat. The play which Shakespeare composes, Romeo and Juliet, ends on the tragic note of a double suicide. A tavern provides a sordid backdrop for one scene. In light of its numerous Oscar nominations, Shakespeare in Love has been virtually guaranteed a longer shelf-life than it deserves. That's too bad.