London, in the summer of 1593, and Will Shakespeare, a struggling young talent of the Elizabethan theatre, is suffering multiple predicaments. He feels himself to be in the shadow of his charismatic rival Kit Marlow; and worse, he is writhing in the grip of writer's block, desperate for inspiration. His work-in-progress, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', simply doesn't want to be written.Suddenly, the muse descends - in the shape of Lady Viola, a wealthy young girl who aspires to be an actress, even though women are barred from the Elizabethan stage. Undaunted, Viola dons beard and moustache to audition for Will's play; but her guise falls away as she and Shakespeare are irresistibly attracted to one another. At last, Will rediscovers his creative fire, transmuting his love for Viola into the stuff of tragic drama, and thereby creating one of the greatest love stories of all time.