Claiming the lives of some of his brothers and sisters and closing theaters. The disease was widespread and many people contracted it. The reason it's called "the black death" comes from some of the symptoms that some people experience that are simply terrifying. Shakespeare lost siblings to the disease, as well as castmates and other close playwrights. It was the Elizabethan era and everyone's lives were dictated by rules to prevent the spread of the virus. Many actors decided to flee to the country in hopes of avoiding the disease, which is why many cinemas were closed.