I would like to suggest one thing. My nickname is what it is but I would never ever tried to ...overestimate meaining of Sheakspeare in the world of biggest world's literature.For Shame! Shakespeare's era was, is and will be forever because the truths contained in his works are immortal and despite the huge amount of time that has passed since he wrote, the things he wrote about and emotions he exposed are simply timeless!
During his lifetime he was a successful author/actor in times where theatre was extremely popular. Many reasons of it.
Then he was forgotten for long, long times as far as I know.
Finally his compatriots found him to have someone who could beat all what ancient Rome has left till today.
Doth Brits have always been sure they happened to be the best people in the world.
Well... did they really beat all ancient big poets with one Sheakspeare?

But... but... they did the best business on his plays. That is rather no doubt to me. Rome's poets performances must have been not half as expensive as Sheakspeare's have always been! :(
LM