How did King James I take to Shakespeare?

King James I was a patron of Shakespeare and his acting company, the King's Men. James saw many of Shakespeare's plays, including "Hamlet," "Othello," and "The Tempest." He also granted the King's Men a royal patent, which allowed them to perform at court and tour the country. In addition, James commissioned Shakespeare to write a play about the Gunpowder Plot, a Catholic conspiracy to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The play, titled "The Winter's Tale," was performed at court in 1611.

James's patronage of Shakespeare was significant because it helped to establish Shakespeare's reputation as a leading playwright. It also allowed Shakespeare to write some of his most famous works, which have been enjoyed by audiences around the world for centuries.