1. Theatrical Success:
- Shakespeare's plays were regularly performed by leading acting companies, most notably the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later known as the King's Men).
- His works attracted large audiences and became popular among both the aristocracy and the general public.
- He collaborated with theater managers and actors, such as Richard Burbage, who gained acclaim for their performances in his plays.
2. Royal Patronage:
- Queen Elizabeth I and King James I granted patronage to Shakespeare's company, giving them the honor of being known as the "King's Men" under James's reign.
- Shakespeare dedicated some of his works to influential figures of the time, including the Earl of Southampton.
3. Publication of Works:
- While many of Shakespeare's plays were first performed on stage, some were also published in quarto editions during his lifetime.
- The publication of his collected works in the First Folio of 1623, compiled by John Heminges and Henry Condell, further solidified his reputation as a literary figure.
4. Praise from Contemporaries:
- Shakespeare received recognition from fellow writers and artists of his time.
- Ben Jonson, a respected dramatist of the era, wrote tributes to Shakespeare in his own works and commended his skill as a playwright.
- Francis Meres, in his "Palladis Tamia" (1598), referred to Shakespeare as "the most excellent" among English writers.
5. Literary Influence:
- Shakespeare's plays were frequently quoted and referenced by other writers and were often used as source material for subsequent literary and theatrical works.
- His writing style and use of language helped set new standards for English literature and had a profound impact on later generations of writers.
While Shakespeare's fame primarily rested on his success as a playwright and his impact on the theater, it is difficult to say with certainty how widely known he was outside of London or how enduring his fame was during his lifetime. Nevertheless, the level of recognition he achieved within his contemporary circles was influential and established him as an important figure in English literature.