William Shakespeare, often hailed as the greatest playwright in history, is today celebrated as a literary giant whose works have transcended centuries. However, the question of whether Shakespeare was famous during his lifetime is a complex one. While today, his name is synonymous with the pinnacle of literary achievement, during his lifetime, his fame was certainly not of the worldwide, immortal variety it is today. This article delves into the details of Shakespeare’s fame in his own time, exploring his career as an actor and playwright, his audience, the nature of his success, and how he was regarded by his peers. Through this examination, we can gain a clearer understanding of Shakespeare’s fame during his lifetime and how he navigated the world of Elizabethan theater.
Shakespeare’s Early Life and the Beginning of His Career
Before delving into Shakespeare’s fame, it is essential to understand his early life and the circumstances that led to his entrance into the world of theater. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Shakespeare grew up in a relatively comfortable household. His father, John Shakespeare, was a successful glove maker and held several public offices, while his mother, Mary Arden, came from a wealthy family. Shakespeare’s formal education is a matter of speculation, but it is believed that he attended the local grammar school, where he would have received a solid grounding in Latin and classical literature.
By the late 1580s, Shakespeare had relocated to London, a bustling city known for its burgeoning theater scene. Shakespeare’s early career as an actor is well-documented, but less is known about his entry into playwriting. By 1592, he had already established himself as a playwright and was beginning to gain attention, but this was a period marked by intense competition in the London theater scene. Numerous playwrights were vying for recognition, and many of them had established relationships with powerful patrons who helped further their careers. Shakespeare, however, made a name for himself through the quality of his writing, and gradually, his reputation grew.
The Nature of Shakespeare’s Fame in the Elizabethan Era
The Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, during which Shakespeare lived and wrote, were different from our modern understanding of fame. Today, fame is largely driven by mass media, internet exposure, and global connectivity. In Shakespeare’s time, however, fame was more localized and was dependent on the word-of-mouth culture of performance, print, and the patronage system. Shakespeare’s fame, therefore, was primarily confined to London, where he worked, and surrounding areas.
Local Fame Through Performances
Shakespeare’s rise to prominence was built on his success as both a playwright and an actor. He was involved with several theater companies during his career, most notably the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which later became the King’s Men under the patronage of King James I. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men performed Shakespeare’s plays at various venues, including the famous Globe Theatre, which Shakespeare co-owned. The plays performed there attracted large audiences, including members of the aristocracy, theater enthusiasts, and the general public.
The public theater in Elizabethan England was far from the reserved atmosphere of modern theaters. Performances were often attended by a wide range of people, from the nobility to commoners, and the environment was much more casual and sometimes raucous. Shakespeare’s plays resonated with a wide audience because they offered a combination of entertainment, political commentary, romance, and tragedy that appealed to people of all social classes. This broad appeal likely contributed to his fame during his lifetime. However, it is important to note that while his plays were popular, they were not universally acclaimed by all critics of the time. Some playwrights and critics, such as Robert Greene, were critical of Shakespeare’s success, which demonstrates that Shakespeare’s fame was not universally admired by all in his contemporaneous literary circle.
Patronage and Literary Circles
During the Elizabethan era, many playwrights relied on patrons for financial support and protection. Shakespeare himself attracted the interest of influential figures, including the Earl of Southampton, who is widely believed to have been the subject of Shakespeare’s sonnets. This patronage would have contributed to Shakespeare’s ability to continue writing and producing his plays. While Shakespeare’s work was undoubtedly well-regarded by some members of the elite, it was not universally recognized as the towering achievement it is considered today.
Patrons often played a crucial role in the dissemination of literary works in the 16th and early 17th centuries, and Shakespeare’s association with powerful individuals certainly helped to elevate his status in certain circles. However, his true fame likely came from the performances of his plays rather than from his connection with the aristocracy. Shakespeare’s plays were enjoyed by a wide range of people, from the wealthiest to the most humble, and this broad appeal helped cement his reputation.
The Publication of Shakespeare’s Works
The publication of Shakespeare’s plays also played a significant role in his fame, though it is worth noting that Shakespeare did not publish many of his plays during his lifetime. Many of his plays were published posthumously in the “First Folio” in 1623, seven years after his death. Some of Shakespeare’s works were printed in quarto editions before his death, but these were often unauthorized versions, leading to a lack of control over how his works were distributed.
While Shakespeare’s name appeared on some published works during his lifetime, it was not until the publication of the “First Folio” in 1623 that his reputation as a literary giant was firmly established. The Folio was a collection of 36 of Shakespeare’s plays and was compiled by his colleagues and fellow actors John Heminges and Henry Condell. The publication of the Folio helped secure Shakespeare’s legacy and contributed to his posthumous fame, but during his lifetime, Shakespeare’s plays were often seen more as performances to be experienced in the theater than as texts to be read and studied. His fame, therefore, was largely a result of the widespread success of his theatrical productions rather than the circulation of written works.
Shakespeare’s Reputation Among His Peers
Shakespeare’s reputation among his contemporaries is an area of considerable interest. While Shakespeare was undoubtedly well-known among his fellow playwrights and actors, it is unclear whether he was universally admired or even fully recognized as a literary genius during his lifetime. Some of Shakespeare’s contemporaries, such as Ben Jonson, acknowledged his talent and spoke highly of him, but other playwrights were not as enthusiastic about his success.
In his 1616 poem “To the Memory of My Beloved Master William Shakespeare,” Ben Jonson referred to Shakespeare as “not of an age, but for all time,” implying that he believed Shakespeare’s work transcended his own era. This endorsement from one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries is significant, as Jonson was an accomplished playwright and poet in his own right. Yet, despite this praise from Jonson, there is evidence that other writers were more critical of Shakespeare, particularly those who felt threatened by his rise to prominence.
For instance, playwright Robert Greene’s 1592 pamphlet “Greene’s Groats-Worth of Wit” contains a disparaging reference to Shakespeare, calling him an “upstart crow.” Greene’s comment suggests that there were some writers who viewed Shakespeare’s rapid success with envy or disdain. This, combined with the fact that Shakespeare’s plays were often produced by popular theater companies rather than by established literary circles, indicates that his fame was not universally accepted during his lifetime.
While some critics and writers may have viewed Shakespeare’s success with skepticism, the popularity of his plays and his role in the development of English drama are undeniable. Shakespeare’s ability to captivate audiences with his intricate plots, complex characters, and profound understanding of human nature undoubtedly contributed to his growing fame during his lifetime.
Conclusion: Shakespeare’s Fame During His Lifetime
Shakespeare’s fame during his lifetime was significant, but it was far from universal. While he was undoubtedly well-known in London and among the theater-going public, his reputation as the unparalleled literary genius that we recognize today was still developing. Shakespeare’s success was built on the popularity of his plays, his involvement in the London theater scene, and the patronage of powerful individuals. He was not as universally praised or respected as he would later be in the centuries following his death, but his work was certainly appreciated by a wide audience.
It is also worth considering that Shakespeare’s fame during his lifetime was primarily local, confined to England and, more specifically, to the theater world. His influence extended beyond the borders of the Elizabethan stage only after his death, when his works began to be published, studied, and performed around the world. Today, Shakespeare’s name is recognized in every corner of the globe, and his works continue to shape literature, theater, and popular culture.
In conclusion, while William Shakespeare was indeed famous during his lifetime, his fame was confined to the world of theater, and he did not achieve the global recognition he holds today. Shakespeare’s plays were appreciated by a broad audience, from the commoners to the aristocracy, and his works were performed regularly at venues like the Globe Theatre. However, his lasting reputation as a literary genius was solidified only after his death, when his plays were published and became part of the Western canon. Shakespeare’s lifetime fame, therefore, was a precursor to the immortal legacy that would follow.
