Social norms: In Elizabethan England, it was considered inappropriate for women to perform on stage. This was due to the belief that women should be modest and reserved, and that performing in public would be seen as unseemly.
Legal restrictions: There were also legal restrictions on women performing on stage. In 1597, the Lord Mayor of London issued a decree禁止任何人穿异装在舞台上表演。这意味着任何想在舞台上扮演女性角色的人，无论男女，都必须是男孩。
Boy actors: Boy actors were specifically trained to play female roles. They would often start their training at a young age, and would learn to sing, dance, and act. They would also be taught how to dress and behave like women.
Boy actors were very popular with audiences. They were seen as more talented than adult women, and they were often more physically attractive. They were also more versatile, and could play a wider range of roles.
The use of boy actors in Shakespeare's plays was a major part of the Elizabethan theatre experience. It was a practice that was unique to this time and place, and it helped to create some of the most iconic performances in history.