Recently, Shakespeare in Love, a motion picture directed by John Madden, was released to public viewers. Along with instantly becoming a "box office hit," Shakespeare in Love won seven Academy Awards, proving to appeal to contemporary audiences. Combining both familiar and classical elements, Shakespeare in Love attracted an enormous audience by portraying historical characters and events in terms to which modern people could relate. In this sense, Shakespeare in Love appeals to contemporary audiences with familiar elements such as the selected performers, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck, and intense sexual scenes. On the other hand, Shakespeare in Love appeals to contemporary audiences with classical elements such as vintage clothing, a strict class system, and the dictatorial leadership of the queen.
The task of making Shakespeare In Love, a combination of such classical pieces of literature, appear modern and well-known would seem to be a difficult task, but yet this movie does a very good job of accomplishing that task. One major factor contributing to this modern appearance is the cast involved. The presence of such actors as Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck, and many other famous role-players gives almost a subconscious feeling of a modern movie. It seems that all of the memories, tabloids, and gossip surrounding these celebrities runs through the viewers head when watching these actors play roles of Renaissance characters. Even though so many people have been fed the ancient-tongue Shakespeare for years during their education, these actors (using some of the same language) do a great job of appealing to an audience that loves modern topics. Many other characteristics may add to the modernization of this classical literature, but the use of such familiar faces in playing the roles has a definite impact.
Sex plays an important role in Shakespeare In Love in bringing two people who have a forbidden love together.