The Elizabethan era was a time of great upheaval and change, and London was particularly vulnerable to disease. The city was overcrowded and unsanitary, and outbreaks of plague were common. In 1592, for example, an outbreak of plague killed an estimated 15,000 people in London.
Because the Globe Theatre was a public gathering place, it was particularly vulnerable to the spread of disease. In order to protect public health, the government often ordered the theatre to be closed during outbreaks of plague.
The Globe Theatre was also closed during Lent.
Lent is a 40-day period of fasting and penance that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday. During Lent, it was considered inappropriate to engage in any form of entertainment, including attending the theatre.
As a result of these two factors, the Globe Theatre was often closed. This meant that actors and theatre companies lost income, and it made it difficult for the theatre to stay in business.
However, the Globe Theatre was also a very popular venue, and audiences were eager to return as soon as it reopened. The theatre's resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the power of live theatre.