1. Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593):
- A contemporary playwright and rival of Shakespeare.
- Wrote plays such as "Dr. Faustus" and "Tamburlaine the Great."
- Believed to have influenced Shakespeare's style and techniques.
2. Ben Jonson (1572-1637):
- A playwright, poet, and literary critic.
- Collaborated with Shakespeare on the play "Sejanus His Fall."
- Known for his comedies like "Volpone" and "The Alchemist."
3. Richard Burbage (1568-1619):
- One of the most famous actors of Shakespeare's time.
- A member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, Shakespeare's acting company.
- Renowned for his portrayals of leading roles in Shakespeare's plays.
4. Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton (1573-1624):
- A prominent patron of Shakespeare and the Lord Chamberlain's Men.
- Believed to be the dedicatee of Shakespeare's sonnets.
- Supported Shakespeare's acting company financially.
5. Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603):
- The reigning monarch during most of Shakespeare's career.
- Shakespeare's company performed several times before the Queen.
- Granted Shakespeare's company the patronage of the royal court.
6. James I (1603-1625):
- Ascended the English throne after Queen Elizabeth's death.
- Continued the royal patronage of Shakespeare's company, now known as the King's Men.
- Shakespeare likely wrote plays like "Macbeth" to reflect James's interests.
7. The Globe Theatre Company:
- Shakespeare was a principal shareholder and the artistic director of the Globe Theatre from 1599.
- Interacted regularly with fellow actors, theatre personnel, and patrons involved in the production of his plays.
8. Thomas Nashe (1567-1601):
- A playwright, satirist, and pamphleteer of the Elizabethan era.
- Knew Shakespeare and mentioned him in some of his writings.
- Both were part of the vibrant literary scene in London.
9. George Chapman (1559-1634):
- A poet, dramatist, and translator.
- Translated Homer's works into English.
- Interacted with Shakespeare in literary circles and may have influenced his classical allusions.
These are just a few examples of the people Shakespeare knew and interacted with during the Renaissance. The social and intellectual exchanges with his contemporaries significantly influenced his works and left a lasting impact on literature and drama.