* Spectacular special effects. Shakespeare's plays often featured elaborate special effects, such as trap doors, flying actors, and pyrotechnics. These effects would have been very exciting for audiences who were used to seeing more straightforward fare.
* Violence and gore. Shakespeare's plays are full of violence and gore. This was something that Elizabethan audiences relished, as it was a common part of everyday life.
* Comedy and wordplay. Shakespeare's plays are also full of comedy and wordplay. This would have appealed to Elizabethan audiences who loved a good laugh.
* Strong female characters. Shakespeare's plays often feature strong female characters. This was unusual for the time, and it would have been refreshing for Elizabethan audiences to see women taking on powerful roles.
* History and politics. Shakespeare's plays often deal with historical and political issues. This would have interested Elizabethan audiences, who were living in a time of great change.
In short, Shakespeare's plays offered Elizabethan audiences a variety of entertainment that they could not find anywhere else. This is why they were so popular, and why they continue to be performed today.