Patronage from the Royal Court:
During Shakespeare's time, the royal court was a significant source of patronage for playwrights and theater companies. Shakespeare's company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men, received royal patronage from King James I, who succeeded Queen Elizabeth after her death in 1603. This patronage provided financial support and recognition to Shakespeare's company.
Historical Plays and Queen Elizabeth:
Shakespeare's historical plays, particularly his tetralogy comprising _Richard II_, _Henry IV, Part 1_, _Henry IV, Part 2_, and _Henry V_, show an interest in English history and monarchy. These plays depict events that occurred during the reigns of various monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth's predecessors. Although these plays do not directly focus on Queen Elizabeth's reign, they provide insights into the historical context in which she ruled.
The Gloriana Persona:
In Elizabethan literature and poetry, Queen Elizabeth was frequently portrayed as a symbol of virtue, beauty, and wisdom. This idealized persona was known as the "Gloriana" persona, inspired by the fairy queen character in Edmund Spenser's epic poem _The Faerie Queene_. While Shakespeare did not explicitly write about the Gloriana persona in his plays, his contemporaries often employed this imagery in their works.
Celebration of Elizabeth's Reign:
Shakespeare's plays do depict moments of national pride, celebration, and the Elizabethan era's patriotic sentiments. For example, in _Henry V_, he portrays the victory of English forces at the Battle of Agincourt, which occurred during the reign of King Henry V, a predecessor of Queen Elizabeth. These portrayals reflect the patriotic spirit of the time and suggest Shakespeare's awareness of the pride felt by the English people for their monarchy.
While there is no definite proof of a direct connection between Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth, his historical plays and the broader cultural context of the Elizabethan era suggest that he was familiar with the monarchy and the significance of Queen Elizabeth's reign.