Explore the chronology of Shakespeare's plays such as Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King John, The Merchant of Venice, Henry IV, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Delve into the evidence informing their dating, from publication records to stylistic analyses, and understand their historical and thematic contexts.
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Scholars use various forms of evidence, such as the earliest known publication and references to earthquakes, to determine the composition date of "Romeo and Juliet."
1580 Dover Straits earthquake
Some scholars attribute the composition of "Romeo and Juliet" to around 1591, based on the Nurse's mention of the 1580 Dover Straits earthquake
1595 earthquake referenced in "Polimanteia"
Others suggest a later composition date of around 1595, based on a different earthquake referenced in William Covell's "Polimanteia."
Comparing the language and structure of "Romeo and Juliet" to other works by Shakespeare supports a composition date in the mid-1590s
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is often considered part of Shakespeare's 'lyrical plays,' suggesting a composition date of around 1594 or 1595
References to the play in Francis Meres's "Palladis Tamia" in 1598 and its first recorded performance in 1605 support a composition date of circa 1595
Some propose that "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was written shortly after "Romeo and Juliet" as a lighter, more comedic exploration of love, while others consider its possible commission for a noble wedding or connections to the deaths of fellow playwrights in the early 1590s
The lack of definitive external evidence and internal allusions make it difficult to determine the composition date of "King John."
Scholars debate whether "The Troublesome Reign of King John," published anonymously around 1589, is a derivative of Shakespeare's play or if Shakespeare's "King John" was inspired by it, implying a composition date after 1589
Based on stylistic analysis and the progression of Shakespeare's writing style, "King John" is thought to have been written in the mid-1590s, after "Richard II" and before the "Henry IV" plays
The play's entry into the Stationers' Register in 1598 and references to contemporary maritime events and the popularity of Christopher Marlowe's "The Jew of Malta" in the 1590s suggest a composition date of 1596 or early 1597
The play's continued performances, including one before King James in 1605, highlight its significance within Shakespeare's body of work and support the proposed timeframe for its creation
"The Merchant of Venice" is set in a specific historical context, providing insight into Shakespeare's portrayal of societal issues and themes during this time period
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Earliest quarto publication of 'Romeo and Juliet'
First quarto in 1597, sets terminus ante quem for play's creation.
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Nurse's earthquake reference dating clue
Nurse mentions earthquake, possibly 1580 Dover Straits; implies composition around 1591.
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Stylistic analyses for dating 'Romeo and Juliet'
Language and structure comparison with Shakespeare's works suggest mid-1590s creation, around 1594–1595.
