Art and literature have been greatly appreciated and encouraged in societies for ages as they gave direction and shape to civilization and culture. Art and literature thrived, unfortunately, not in affluence; and therefore, artists and writers had to seek help and support from the wealthy and the aristocratic.
There were patrons who volunteered to assist artists from time to time. In fact, during the medieval and Renaissance periods in European history, the structure of society itself was built on patronage. Shakespeare had patrons too. They helped him establish himself as an actor, playwright and poet.
Edward Manners, the third Earl of Rutland, was Shakespeare’s first patron. The Earl was Shakespeare’s friend too. This patron was interested in Shakespeare from his teenage and encouraged him to write as the bard wished. Maybe, Rutland also helped Shakespeare in building the stage in which his earlier plays were staged.
Henry Wriothesley, the 3rd Earl of Southampton, was probably the most important patron of Shakespeare. Some say that the ‘fair youth’ in Shakespeare’s sonnets is, in fact, this Earl of Southampton. However, some others say that William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, was the ‘fair youth’. Among his other patrons Queen Elizabeth 1 and King James I are the most prominent. Both of them loved drama. Queen Elizabeth enjoyed poetry greatly and devoted herself to the study of the ancient classical period. Many times did the Queen attend the plays of Shakespeare in person?
King James too encouraged art and drama and was often in the audience watching and enjoying Shakespeare’s plays. Both of them contributed greatly directly and indirectly in aiding the culture of art and literature in England and thus promoting Shakespeare who we see today as the epitome of theatre and poetry.
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