Here are a few ways Shakespeare likely earned money from his plays:
1. Play Sales: Theaters often purchased the rights to perform a play from the playwright, and Shakespeare would have received payment for this. The exact terms of these agreements are not well-documented, but it is known that playwrights typically received a lump sum payment for their works.
2. Acting: Shakespeare was also an actor and performed in many of his own plays. This would have provided him with additional income beyond the play sales.
3. Royal Patronage: Shakespeare's plays were performed for royalty on several occasions, and he may have received payment or patronage from these performances.
4. Shares in the Theater Company: Shakespeare was a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later known as the King's Men), the theater company that produced his plays. As a shareholder, he would have received a portion of the profits from the theater's performances.
It's important to note that during Shakespeare's time, playwrights were not highly regarded as artists or intellectuals, and they often faced social and economic challenges. Additionally, the theater industry was subject to various restrictions and regulations, which could have impacted Shakespeare's earnings.
Despite these limitations, Shakespeare's plays achieved significant popularity and acclaim, which likely contributed to his financial success as a playwright.