When Harry Met Sally & Shakespare in Love

In both the 16th and 20th Centuries, marriage is only legally binding when sanctioned by the state. In Elizabethan times the Queen or monarchy was the state, as portrayed in AShakespeare in Love.@ Although the institution of marriage in Western culture underwent tremendous changes in the 20th Century, marriage still must be authorized by the state. Whether the marriage ceremony is civil or legal, the person performing the marriage must say, Aby the power invested in me by the state of...I now pronounce you husband and wife.@ Therefore, in both the 16th and 20th centuries, marriage is essentially a social practice reflecting the purposes and character of the society of its time. The concept of romantic love as the key foundation for the institution of marriage is a modern idea. In AShakespeare in Love@ the young lovers Will(Joseph Fiennes) and Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) have a passionate love affair outside of marriage; he is married and she is engaged to another man. Their love affa

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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 800
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page)