The entertainment discussed in the passage came about most directly because of which of the following?

The emergence of the entertainment referenced in the passage is most directly attributable to the commercial revolution. This period, spanning from the late Middle Ages into the early modern period, was characterized by significant economic growth and changes in trade practices. The commercial revolution led to increased wealth among a growing merchant class and expanded markets, which in turn fostered greater public demand for leisure activities and entertainment.

As economies flourished, cities expanded, and a burgeoning middle class emerged, opportunities for entertainment multiplied. This included the establishment of theaters, public festivals, and various forms of popular entertainment that catered to a wider audience, moving beyond the noble class to include more diverse participants. The flourishing trade brought new ideas and cultural influences, further enriching the forms of entertainment available.

By contrast, while the end of the plague had notable social implications, such as population changes and shifts in labor dynamics, it was the commercial revolution that directly influenced the development and proliferation of entertainment options during this period. The French Revolution introduced different societal changes, but it occurred later and is not directly connected to the rise of entertainment from a commercial perspective. Similarly, changes in marriage patterns could reflect social changes but do not encapsulate the broader economic forces at play that fueled the commercial revolution's impact on entertainment.