: This character is entirely fictional, though she embodies the real historical challenge of women being barred from the Elizabethan stage.

The screenplay for the 1998 film , written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, is a fictionalized account of a young William Shakespeare struggling with writer's block while finding inspiration in a secret romance. Plot Summary

: The full movie script is available to read on The Internet Movie Script Database (IMSDb).

: Portrayed by Judi Dench (who won an Oscar for the role), her presence at the public theater is a creative liberty, as monarchs typically had plays performed for them at court.

: Portrayed as Will's friend and mentor, Marlowe was actually killed in 1593, roughly the time the film is set.

You can read the complete screenplay and various stage adaptations through these official platforms: