Movie Summary - Shakespeare in Love

In the play Shakespeare in love there are several influences that social standing and class affected how the characters and story developed. .
             The setting of the movie takes place in the 16th century. Social classes had a large impact on life in this time era (Cimafranca). Shakespeare was a poor lower classman. He made money through his plays, even going as far as trying to sell his one future play to two different playhouses. Viola was a woman from a family that had money, upper class (Shakespeare in Love). In the 16th century only people within the same social standing could marry easily. Viola was promised to Lord Wessex by the queen. In this time the queen's words were law, no one could go against her. .
             Had William and Viola attempted to be together despite these odds, they would have met nothing but resistance (Paltrow). Wealthy upperclassmen married within the class to gain land, money, and strong family ties. Lord Wessex was to marry Viola to gain money to help him with his plantation. Lord Wessex is portrayed as typical snooty, smart, snobby, preppy upperclassmen, who does not win the heart of Viola, and most likely never will. .
             Another way in which social classes affected the story of romance is that had Shakespeare not been under pressure he would not have fallen in love. Shakespeare needed a play and he needed it fast. He was poor, had no money, and was being pressured by two play houses. Two different play houses that also had need of money. If Shakespeare had more money or better social standing he would not have meet Viola de Lesseps because he would not have been producing a play. Shakespeare would not have been writing or producing a play at that time because he would not have a great need for money. Money made a large difference in Shakespeare's life. He was in a lower class and lived on what he earned. If he did not write plays, he did not earn money to live on. It was due to this pressure that he began to write his play.