In 1594, the plague, known as the Black Death, had forced the closure of all theatres in London. This posed a significant challenge for actors and playwrights, including Shakespeare. However, in 1599, the plague subsided, allowing the theatres to reopen.
This event provided Shakespeare with an opportunity to showcase his talents and establish himself as a successful dramatist. With the reopening of the theatres, Shakespeare had a platform to present his plays and gain recognition from audiences and patrons of the arts.