* Social custom: In Elizabethan society, it was considered inappropriate for women to perform onstage. Acting was seen as a profession for men, and it was thought that women would be unable to handle the rigors of touring and performing.
* Religious beliefs: Many people in Elizabethan England believed that it was sinful for women to perform onstage. They felt that women should be modest and chaste, and that acting would expose them to temptation and lead them to lose their virtue.
* Legal restrictions: The Elizabethan government actually passed laws that prohibited women from performing onstage. These laws were passed in order to maintain social order and prevent women from challenging traditional gender roles.
Due to these factors, all of the roles in Elizabethan plays were played by men. This meant that men had to play both male and female roles, often using costumes and props to create the illusion of a woman. While this might seem strange to us today, it was perfectly normal in Elizabethan times. In fact, some of the most famous actors of the Elizabethan era were male actors who specialized in playing female roles.