- Entertainment: Theater was a popular form of entertainment for all social classes in Elizabethan England. Plays offered audiences an escape from the daily routine, a chance to see stories come to life, and an opportunity to mingle with others.
- Cultural Expression: Plays were an important form of cultural expression in Elizabethan England. They reflected the values, beliefs, and social norms of the time. They also helped shape public opinion on issues such as religion, politics, and morality.
- Education: Plays were often used as a means of education. They taught audiences about history, literature, and current events. They also helped spread knowledge of the arts and sciences.
- Social Commentary: Plays often served as a means of social commentary. They criticized the social and political institutions of the time, and they explored social issues such as class conflict, poverty, and corruption.
- Economic Opportunity: Acting was a profession in Elizabethan England, and many actors were able to make a living from their work. The most successful actors could become very wealthy.
Overall, Elizabethan people played in plays for a variety of reasons, including entertainment, cultural expression, education, social commentary, and economic opportunity.