Nineteen of William Shakespeare's plays first appeared in quarto before the publication of the First Folio in 1623, eighteen of those before his death in 1616. One play co-authored with John Fletcher, The Two Noble Kinsmen, was first published in 1634, and one play first published in the First Folio, The Taming of the Shrew, was later published in quarto. Following are listed the Shakespeare plays that appeared in quarto up to 1642 with complete title page information from each edition.
Q1 1594
THE | First part of the Con= | tention betwixt the two famous Houses of Yorke | and Lancaster, with the death of the good | Duke Humphrey: | And the banishment and death of the Duke of | Suffolke, and the Tragicall end of the proud Cardinall | of VVinchester, vvith the notable Rebellion | of Iacke Cade: | And the Duke of Yorkes first claime vnto the | Crowne. | LONDON | Printed by Thomas Creed, for Thomas Millington, | and are to be sold at his shop vnder Saint Peters | Church in Cornwall. | 1594.
The play known as King Henry VI, Part 2 was entered into the Stationers Register 12 March 1594 and printed that same year by Thomas Creede for Thomas Millington. [1] As it appears in the First Folio, the play is about a third longer than the first quarto version. [2] Most scholars agree that the 1594 version as printed is a memorial reconstruction, or bad quarto, but they are divided as to whether it is based on the full folio version or an abridged and possibly revised version of the play. [3] STC 26099; 64 pages.
Q2 1600
THE | First part of the Con- | tention betwixt the two famous hou- | ses of Yorke and Lancaster, with the | death of the good Duke | Humphrey: And the banishment and death of the Duke of | Suffolke, and the Tragical end of the prowd Cardinall | of Winchester, with the notable Rebellion of | Iacke Cade: | And the Duke of Yorkes first clayme to the | Crowne. | LONDON | Printed by Valentine Simmes for Thomas Millington, and | are to be sold at his shop vnder S. Peters Church | in Cornewall. | 1600.
Q3 1619 (not dated, printed with Henry VI, Part 3 as part of Thomas Pavier's False Folio)
THE Whole Contention | betvveene the two Famous | Houses, LANCASTER and | YORKE. | With the Tragicall ends of the good Duke | Humfrey, Richard Duke of Yorke, | and King Henrie the | sixt. | Diuided into two Parts: And newly corrected and | enlarged. Written by William Shake- | speare, Gent. | Printed at LONDON, for T. P.
Q1 1594
THE | MOST LA- | mentable Romaine | Tragedie of Titus Andronicus: | As it was Plaide by the Right Ho- | nourable the Earle of Darbie, Earle of Pembrooke, | and Earle of Sussex their Seruants. | LONDON, | Printed by Iohn Danter, and are | to be sold by Edward White & Thomas Millington, | at the little North doore of Paules at the | signe of the Gunne. | 1594. [4]
Q2 1600
The most lamenta- | ble Romaine Tragedie of Titus | Andronicus. | As it hath sundry times beene playde by the | Right Honourable the Earle of Pembrooke, the | Earle of Darbie, the Earle of Sussex, and the | Lorde Chamberlaine theyr | Seruants. | AT LONDON | Printed by I. R. for Edward White | and are to bee sold at his shoppe, at the little | North doore of Paules, at the signe of | the Gun. 1600.
Q3 1611
THE | MOST LAMEN- | TABLE TRAGEDIE | of Titus Andronicus. | AS IT HATH SVNDRY | times beene plaide by the Kings | Maiesties Seruants. | Printed for Eedward White, and are to be solde | at his shoppe, nere the little North dore of | Pauls, at the signe of the | Gun. 1611.
Q1 1597
THE TRAGEDY OF | King Richard the third. | Containing, | His treacherous Plots against his brother Clarence: | the pittiefull murther of his iunocent nephewes: | his tyrannicall vsurpation: with the whole course | of his detested life, and most deserued death. | As it hath been lately Acted by the | Right honourable the Lord Chamber- | laine his seruants. | AT LONDON | Printed by Valentine Sims, for Andrew Wise, | dwelling in Paules Chuch-yard, at the | Signe of the Angell. | 1597.
Q2 1598
THE | TRAGEDIE | of King Richard | the third. | Conteining his treacherous Plots against his | brother Clarence: the pitiful murther of his innocent | Nephewes: his tyrannicall vsurpation: with | the whole course of the detested life, and most | deserued death. | As it hath beene lately Acted by the Right honourable | the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. | By William Shake-speare. | LONDON | Printed by Thomas Creede, for Andrew Wise, | dwelling in Paules Church-yard, at the signe | of the Angell. 1598.
Q3 1602
THE | TRAGEDIE | of King Richard | the third. | Conteining his treacherous Plots against his brother | Clarence: the pittifull murther of his innocent Ne- | phewes: his tyrannicall vsurpation: with the | whole course of the detested life, and | most deserued death. | As it hath bene lately Acted by the Right honourable | the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. | Newly augmented, | By William Shakespeare. | LONDON | Printed by Thomas Creede, for Andrew Wise, dwelling | in Paules Church-yard, at the signe of the | Angell. 1602.
Q4 1605
THE | TRAGEDIE | of King Richard | the third. | Conteining his treacherous Plots against his brother | Clarence: the pittifull murther of his innocent Ne- | phewes: his tyrannicall vsurpation: with the | whole course of the detested life, and | most deserued death. | As it hath bin lately Acted by the Right Honourable | the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. | Newly augmented, | By William Shakespeare. | LONDON | Printed by Thomas Creede, and are to be sold by Mathew | Lawe, dwelling in Paules Church-yard, at the Signe | of the Foxe, neare S. Austins gate, 1605.
Q5 1612
THE | TRAGEDIE | of King Richard | the third. | Containing his treacherous Plots against his brother | Clarence : the pittifull murther of his innocent Ne- | phewes : his tyrannicall vsurpation : with the | whole course of the detested life, and | most deserued death. | As it hath beene lately Acted by the Kings Maiesties | seruants. | Newly augmented, | By William Shake-speare. | LONDON, | Printed by Thomas Creede, and are to be sold by Mathew | Lawe, dwelling in Pauls Church-yard, at the Signe | of the Foxe, neare S. Austins gate, 1612.
Q6 1622
THE | TRAGEDIE | OF | KING RICHARD | THE THIRD. | Contayning his treacherous plots against | his brother Clarence : The pittifull murder of his innocent | Nephewes : his tyrannicall Vsurpation : with the whole | course of his detested life, and most | deserued death. | As it hath been lately acted by the Kings Maiesties | Seruants. | Newly augmented. | By William Shake-speare. | LONDON, | Printed by Thomas Purfoot, and are to be sold by Mathew Law, dwelling | in Pauls Church-yard, at the Signe of the Foxe, neere | S. Austines gate, 1622.
Q7 1629
THE | TRAGEDIE | OF | KING RICHARD | THE THIRD. | Contayning his treacherous plots against | his brother Clarence : The pittifull murder of his ino- | cent Nephewes : his tiranous vsurpation : with the whole | course of his detested life, and most | deserued death. | As it hath been lately Acted by the Kings Maiesties | Seruants. | Newly augmented. | By William Shake-speare. | LONDON. | Printed by Iohn Norton, and are to be sold by Mathew Law, | dwelling in Pauls Church-yeard, at the Signe of the | Foxe, neere St. Austines gate, | 1629.
Q8 1634
THE | TRAGEDIE | OF | KING RICHARD | THE THIRD. | Contayning his treacherous Plots a- | gainst his brother Clarence : The pitifull | murder of his innocent Nephewes : his | tyranous vsurpation : with the | whole course of his detested life, | and most deserued death. | As it hath beene Acted by the Kings | Maiesties Seruants. | VVritten by William Shake-speare. | LONDON. | Printed by IOHN NORTON. 1634.
Octavo 1 1595
The true Tragedie of Richard | Duke of Yorke, and the death of | good King Henrie the Sixt, | with the whole contention betweene | the two Houses Lancaster | and Yorke, as it was sundrie times | acted by the Right Honoura- | ble the Earle of Pem- | brooke his seruants. | Printed at London by P. S. for Thomas Milling- | ton, and are to be sold at his shoppe vnder | Saint Peters Church in | Cornwal. 1595.
Q2 1600
THE | True Tragedie of | Richarde Duke of | Yorke, and the death of good | King Henrie the sixt: | VVith the whole contention betweene the two | Houses, Lancaster and Yorke; as it was | sundry times acted by the Right | Honourable the Earle | of Pembrooke his | seruantes. | Printed at Londou by W. W. for Thomas Millington, | and are to be sold at his shoppe vnder Saint | Peters Church in Cornewall. | 1600.
Q3 1619 (not dated, printed with Henry VI, Part 2 as part of Thomas Pavier's False Folio)
THE Whole Contention | betvveene the two Famous | Houses, LANCASTER and | YORKE. | With the Tragicall ends of the good Duke | Humfrey, Richard Duke of Yorke, | and King Henrie the | sixt. | Diuided into two Parts: And newly corrected and | enlarged. Written by William Shake- | speare, Gent. | Printed at LONDON, for T. P.
Q1 1597
AN | EXCELLENT | conceited Tragedie | OF | Romeo and Iuliet. | As it hath been often (with great applause) | plaid publiquely, by the right Ho- | nourable the L. of Hunsdon | his Seruants. | LONDON, | Printed by Iohn Danter. | 1597 (78 pp.)
Q2 1599
THE | MOST EX= | cellent and lamentable | Tragedie, of Romeo | and Iuliet. | Newly corrected, augmented, and | amended: | As it hath bene sundry times publiquely acted, by the | right Honourable the Lord Chamberlaine | his Seruants. | LONDON | Printed by Thomas Creede, for Cuthbert Burby, and are to | be sold at his shop neare the Exchange. | 1599. (92 pp.)
Q3 1609
THE | MOST EX- | CELLENT AND | Lamentable Tragedie, of | Romeo and Juliet. | As it hath beene sundrie times publiquely Acted, | by the KINGS Maiesties Seruants | at the Globe. | Newly corrected, augmented, and amended : | LONDON | Printed for IOHN SMETHVVICK, and are to be sold | at his Shop in Saint Dunstanes Church-yard, | in Fleetestreete vnder the Dyall, | 1609. (92 pp.)
Q4 a 1622 (not dated)
THE MOST | EXCELLENT | And Lamentable Tragedie, | of ROMEO and | IVLIET. | As it hath beene sundrie times publikely Acted, | by the KINGS Maiesties seruants | at the GLOBE. | Newly corrected, augmented, and amended. | LONDON, | Printed for Iohn Smethwicke, and are to bee sold at his Shop in | Saint Dunstanes Church-yard, in Fleetestreete | vnder the Dyall. (88 pp.)
Q4 b 1622 (not dated)
THE MOST | EXCELLENT | And Lamentable Tragedie, | of ROMEO and | IVLIET. | As it hath beene sundrie times publikely Acted, | by the KINGS Maiesties seruants | at the GLOBE. | Written by W. Shake-speare. | Newly corrected, augmented, and amended. | LONDON, | Printed for Iohn Smethwicke, and are to bee sold at his Shop in | Saint Dunstanes Church-yard, in Fleetestreete | vnder the Dyall. (88 pp.)
Q5 1637
THE MOST | EXCELLENT | And Lamentable Tragedie | of ROMEO and | JULIET. | As it hath been sundry times publikely Acted | by the KINGS Maiesties Seruants | at the GLOBE. | Written by W. Shake-speare. | Newly corrected, augmented, and amended. | LONDON, | Printed by R. Young for John Smethwicke, and are to bee sold at | his Shop in St. Dunstanes Church-yard, in Fleetstreet, | under the Dyall. 1637. (88 pp.)
Q1 1597
THE | Tragedie of King Ri- | chard the se- | cond. | As it hath beene publikely acted | by the right Honourable the | Lorde Chamberlaine his Ser- | uants. | LONDON | Printed by Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, and | are to be sold at his shop in Paules church yard at | the signe of the Angel. | 1597.
Q2 1598
THE | Tragedie of King Ri- | chard the second. | As it hath beene publikely acted by the right Ho- | nourable the Lorde Chamberlaine his | seruants. | By William Shake-speare. | LONDON | Printed by Valentine Simmes for Andrew Wise, and | are to be sold at his shop in Paules churchyard at | the signe of the Angel. 1598.
Q3 1598
THE | Tragedie of King Ri- | chard the second. | As it hath beene publikely acted by the right Ho- | nourable the Lorde Chamberlaine his | seruants. | By William Shake-speare. | LONDON | Printed by Valentine Simmes, for Andrew Wise, and | are to be sold at his shop in Paules churchyard, at | the signe of the Angel. 1598
Q4 a 1608
THE | Tragedie of King | Richard the second. | As it hath been publikely acted by the Right | Honourable the Lorde Chamberlaine | his seruantes. | By William Shake-speare. LONDON, | Printed by W. W. for Mathew Law, and are to be | sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard, at | the signe of the Foxe. | 1608.
Q4 b 1608
THE | Tragedie of King | Richard the second: | With new additions of the Parlia- | ment Sceane, | and the deposing | of King Richard. | As it hath been lately acted by the Kinges | Maiesties seruantes, at the Globe. | By William Shake-speare. | AT LONDON, | Printed by W. W. for Mathew Law, and are to | be sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard, | at the signe of the Foxe. | 1608.
Q5 1615
THE | Tragedie of King | Richard the Se- | cond: | With new additions of the Parliament Sceane, | and the deposing of King | Richard. | As it hath been lately acted by the Kinges | Maiesties seruants, at the Globe. | By WILLIAM SHAKE-SPEARE. | At LONDON, | Printed for Mathew Law, and are to be sold | at his shop in Paules Church-yard, | at the | signe of the Foxe. | 1615.
Q6 1634
THE | LIFE AND | DEATH OF KING | RICHARD THE | SECOND. | With new Additions of the | Parliament Scene, and the | Deposing of King Richard. | As it hath beene acted by the Kings Majesties | Servants, at the Globe. | By William Shakespeare. | LONDON, | Printed by IOHN NORTON. | 1634.
Quarto 0 1598
This version thought to be earlier than Q1 is known only from a single fragment in the Folger Shakespeare Library, comprising four leaves of quire C that was found in a book binding. The running headline uses the word "hystorie" instead of "historie" and line spoken by Poins in 2.2, "How the rogue roared" is given as "How the fat rogue roared".
Q1 1598
THE | HISTORY OF | HENRIE THE | FOVRTH; | With the battell at Shrewsburie, | betweene the King and Lord | Henry Percy, surnamed | Henrie Hotspur of | the North. | With the humorous conceits of Sir | Iohn Falstalffe. | AT LONDON, | Printed by P. S. for Andrew Wise, dwelling | in Paules Churchyard, at the signe of | the Angell, 1598.
Q2 1599
THE | HISTORY OF | HENRIE THE | FOVRTH; | With the battell at Shrewsburie, | betweene the King and Lord Henry | Percy, surnamed | Henrie Hot- | spur of | the North. | With the humorous conceits of Sir | Iohn Falstalffe. | Newly corrected by W. Shake-speare. | AT LONDON, | Printed by S. S. for Andrew VVise, dwelling | in Paules Churchyard, at the signe of | the Angell. 1599.
Q3 1604
THE | HISTORY OF | Henrie the fourth, | VVith the battell at Shrewsburie, | betweene the King, and Lord | Henry Percy, surnamed Henry Hot- | spur of the North. | With the humorous conceits of Sir | Iohn Falstalffe. | Newly corrected by W. Shake-speare. | LONDON | Printed by Valentine Simmes, for Mathew Law, and | are to be solde at his shop in Paules Churchyard, | at the signe of the Fox. | 1604.
Q4 1608
THE | HISTORY OF | Henry the fourth, | VVith the battell at Shrewsburie, | betweene the King, and Lord | Henry Percy, surnamed Henry | Hotspur of the North. | With the humorous conceites of Sir | Iohn Falstalffe. | Newly corrected by W. Shake-speare. | LONDON | Printed for Mathew Law, and are to be sold at | his shop in Paules Church-yard, neere vnto S. | Augustines gate, at the signe of | the Foxe, 1608.
Q5 1613
THE | HISTORY OF | Henrie the fourth, | With the Battell at Shrewseburie, betweene | the King, and Lord Henrie Percy, sur- | named Henrie Hotspur of the North. | VVith the humorous conceites of Sir | Iohn Falstaffe. | Newly corrected by W. Shake-speare. | Printed by W. W. for Mathew Law, and are to be sold | at his shop in Paules Church-yard, neere vnto S. | Augustines Gate, at the signe of the Foxe. | 1613.
Q6 1622
THE | HISTORIE | OF | Henry the Fourth. | With the Battell at Shrewseburie, betweene | the King, and Lord Henry Percy, surnamed | Henry Hotspur of the North. | With the humorous conceits of Sir | Iohn Falstaffe. | Newly corrected. | By William Shake-speare. | LONDON, | Printed by T. P. and are to be sold by Mathew Law, dwelling | in Pauls Church-yard, at the signe of the Foxe, neere | S. Austines gate. 1622.
Q7 1632
THE | HISTORIE | OF | Henry the Fourth: | With the battell at Shrewesbury, be- | tweene the King, and Lord Henry Percy, | surnamed Henry Hotspur of | the North. | With the humorous conceits of Sir | Iohn Falstaffe. | Newly corrected, | By William Shake-speare. | London. | Printed by Iohn Norton, and are to bee sold by | William Sheares, at his shop at the great South doore | of Saint Pauls-Church; and in Chancery-Lane, | neere Serieants-Inne. | 1632.
Q8 1639
THE | HISTORIE | OF | Henry the Fourth: | WITH THE BATTELL AT | Shrewsbury, betweene the King, | and Lord Henry Percy, surnamed | Henry Hotspur of the | North. | With the humorous conceits of Sir | IOHN FALSTAFFE. | Newly corrected, | By WILLIAM SHAKE-SPEARE. | LONDON | Printed by JOHN NORTON, and are to be sold by | HVGH PERRY, at his shop next to Ivie-bridge | in the Strand. 1639.
Q 1598
A | PLEASANT | Conceited Comedie | CALLED, | Loues labors lost. | As it vvas presented before her Highnes | this last Christmas. | Newly corrected and augmented | By W. Shakespere. | Imprinted at London: by W. W. | for Cutbert Burby, | 1598.
Quarto a (84 pages) omits the first scene of act iii and eight other passages in quire E. Quarto b (88 pages) adds the missing first scene of act iii and resets the immediately surrounding text, adding two leaves to quire E. The title pages are identical.
Q 1600
THE | Second part of Henrie | the fourth, continuing to his death, | and coronation of Henrie | the fift. | With the humours of sir Iohn Fal- | staffe, and swaggering | Pistoll. | As it hath been sundrie times publikely | acted by the right honourable, the Lord | Chamberlaine his seruants. | Written by William Shakespeare. | LONDON | Printed by V. S. for Andrew Wise, and | William Aspley. | 1600.
Q1, 1600
THE | CRONICLE | History of Henry the fift, | With his battell fought at Agin Court in | France. Togither with Auntient | Pistoll. | As it hath bene sundry times playd by the Right honorable | the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. | LONDON | Printed by Thomas Creede, for Tho. Milling- | ton, and Iohn Busby. And are to be | sold at his house in Carter Lane, next | the Powle head. 1600. (56 pp.)
Q2, 1602
THE | CHRONICLE | History of Henry the fift, | VVith his battell fought at Agin Court | in France. Together with Auntient | Pistoll. | As it hath bene sundry times playd by the Right honorable | the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. | LONDON | Printed by Thomas Creede, for Thomas | Pauier, and are to be sold at his shop in Cornhill, | at the signe of the Cat and Parrets neare | the Exchange. 1602. (52 pp.)
Q3, 1619 (falsely dated 1608 as part of Thomas Pavier's False Folio)
THE | Chronicle History | of Henry the fift, with his | battell fought at Agin Court in | France. Together with an- | cient Pistoll. | As it hath bene sundry times playd by the Right Honou- | rable the Lord Chamberlaine his | Seruants. | Printed for T. P. 1608. (56 pp.)
Q1 1600
A | Midsommer nights | dreame. | As it hath beene sundry times pub- | lickely acted, by the Right honoura- | ble, the Lord Chamberlaine his | seruants. | Written by William Shakespeare. | ¶ Imprinted at London, for Thomas Fisher, and are to | be soulde at his shoppe, at the Signe of the White Hart, | in Fleetestreete. 1600.
Q2 1619 (falsely dated 1600 as part of Thomas Pavier's False Folio)
A | Midsommer nights | dreame. | As it hath beene sundry times pub- | likely acted, by the Right Honoura- | ble, the Lord Chamberlaine his | seruants. | VVritten by VVilliam Shakespeare. | Printed by Iames Roberts, 1600.
Q1 1600
The most excellent | Historie of the Merchant | of Venice. | VVith the extreame crueltie of Shylocke the Iewe | towards the sayd Merchant, in cutting a iust pound | of his flesh: and the obtayning of Portia | by the choyse of three | chests. | As it hath beene diuers times acted by the Lord | Chamberlaine his seruants. | Written by William Shakespeare. | AT LONDON, | Printed by I. R. for Thomas Heyes, | and are to be sold in Paules Church-yard, at the | signe of the Greene Dragon. | 1600.
Q2 1619 (falsely dated 1600 as part of Thomas Pavier's False Folio)
THE | EXCELLENT | History of the Mer- | chant of Venice. | With the extreme cruelty of Shylocke | the Iew towards the saide Merchant, in cut- | ting a iust pound of his flesh. And the obtaining | of Portia, by the choyse of | three Caskets. | Written by W. SHAKESPEARE. | Printed by J. Roberts, 1600
Q3 1637
The most excellent | Historie of the Merchant | of VENICE. | With the extreame crueltie of Shylocke | the Iewe towards the said Merchant, in | cutting a just pound of his flesh: and the ob- | taining of PORTIA by the choice | of three Chests. | As it hath beene divers times acted by the | Lord Chamberlaine his servants. | Written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. | LONDON, | Printed by M. P. for Laurence Hayes, and are to be sold | at his Shop on Fleetbridge. 1637.
Q 1600
Much adoe about | Nothing. | As it hath been sundrie times publikely | acted by the right honourable, the Lord | Chamberlaine his seruants. | Written by William Shakespeare. | LONDON | Printed by V. S. for Andrew Wise, and | William Aspley. | 1600.
Q1 1602
A | Most pleasaunt and | excellent conceited Co- | medie, of Syr Iohn Falstaffe, and the | merrie Wiues of Windsor. | Entermixed with sundrie | variable and pleasing humors, of Syr Hugh | the Welch knight, Iustice Shallow, and his | wise Cousin M. Slender. | With the swaggering vaine of Auncient | Pistoll, and Corporall Nym. | By William Shakespeare. | As it hath bene diuers times Acted by the right Honorable | my Lord Chamberlaines seruants. Both before her | Maiestie, and else-where. | Printed by T. C. for Arthur Iohnson, and are to be sold at | his shop in Powles Church-yard, at the signe of the | Flower de Leuse and the Crowne. | 1602.
Q2 1619 (publisher falsely stated as Arthur Johnson as part of Thomas Pavier's False Folio)
A | Most pleasant and ex- | cellent conceited Comedy, | of Sir Iohn Falstaffe, and the | merry VViues of VVindsor. | VVith the swaggering vaine of An- | cient Pistoll, and Corporall Nym. | Written by W. SHAKESPEARE. | Printed for Arthur Johnson, 1619.
Q3 1630
THE | MERRY VVIVES | OF WINDSOR. | With the humours of Sir Iohn Falstaffe, | As also the swaggering vaine of Ancient | Pistoll, and Corporall Nym. | Written by William Shake-Speare. | Newly corrected. | LONDON: | Printed by T. H. for R. Meighen, and are to be sold | at his Shop, next to the Middle-Temple Gate, and in | S. Dunstans Church-yard in Fleet-street, | 1630.
Q1 1603
THE | Tragicall Historie of | HAMLET | Prince of Denmarke | by William Shake-speare. | As it hath beene diuerse times acted by his Highnesse ser- | uants in the Cittie of London : as also in the two V- | niuersities of Cambridge and Oxford, and else-where | At London: printed for N. L. and Iohn Trundell. | 1603. (66 pp.)
Q2 a 1604
THE | Tragicall Historie of | HAMLET, | Prince of Denmarke. | By William Shakespeare. | Newly imprinted and enlarged to almost as much | againe as it was, according to the true and perfect | Coppie. | AT LONDON, | Printed by I. R. for N. L. and are to be sold at his | shoppe vnder Saint Dunstons Church in | Fleetstreet. 1604. (102 pp.)
Q2 b 1605
THE | Tragicall Historie of | HAMLET, | Prince of Denmarke. | By William Shakespeare. | Newly imprinted and enlarged to almost as much | againe as it was, according to the true and perfect | Coppie. | AT LONDON, | Printed by I. R. for N. L. and are to be sold at his | shoppe vnder Saint Dunstons Church in | Fleetstreet. 1605. (102 pp.)
Q3 1611
THE | TRAGEDY | OF | HAMLET | Prince of Denmarke. | BY | WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. | Newly imprinted and enlarged to almost as much | againe as it was, according to the true | and perfect Coppy. | AT LONDON, | Printed for Iohn Smethwicke, and are to be sold at his shoppe | in Saint Dunstons Church yeard in Fleetstreet. | Vnder the Diall. 1611. (104 pp.)
Q4 1622 (no date)
THE | TRAGEDY | OF | HAMLET | Prince of Denmarke. | BY | WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. | LONDON, | Printed by W. S. for Iohn Smethwicke, and are to be sold at his | shoppe in Saint Dunstons Church-yard in Fleetstreet: | Vnder the Diall.
Q5 1637
THE | TRAGEDY | OF HAMLET | PRINCE OF | DENMARK. | Newly imprinted and inlarged, according to the true | and perfect Copy last Printed. | By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. | LONDON, | Printed by R. Young for John Smethwicke, and are to be sold at his | Shop in Saint Dunstans Church-yard in Fleet-stteet, | under the Diall, 1637. (104 pp.)
Q1 1608
M. William Shak-speare: | HIS | True Chronicle Historie of the life and | death of King LEAR and his three | Daughters. | With the vnfortunate life of Edgar, sonne | and heire to the Earle of Gloster, and his | sullen and assumed humor of | TOM of Bedlam: | As it was played before the Kings Maiestie at Whitehall vpon | S. Stephans night in Christmas Hollidayes. | By his Maiesties seruants playing vsually at the Gloabe | on the Bancke-side. | LONDON, | Printed [by Nicholas Okes] for Nathaniel Butter, and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls | Church-yard at the signe of the Pide Bull neere | St. Austins Gate 1608 (84 pp.)
Q2 1619 (falsely dated 1608 as part of Thomas Pavier's False Folio)
M. VVilliam Shake-speare, | HIS | True Chronicle History of the life | and death of King Lear, and his | three daughters. | With the vnfortunate life of EDGAR, sonne and heire to the Earle of Glocester, and | his sullen and assumed humour of TOM | of Bedlam. | As it was plaied before the Kings Maiesty at White-hall, vp- | pon S. Stephens night, in Christmas Hollidaies. | By his Maiesties Seruants, playing vsually at the | Globe on the Banck-side. | Printed for Nathaniel Butter. 1608. (88 pp.)
Q a 1609
THE Historie of Troylus | and Cresseida. | As it was acted by the Kings Maiesties | seruants at the Globe. | Written by William Shakespeare. | LONDON | Imprinted by G. Eld for R. Bonian and H. Walley, and | are to be sold at the spred Eagle in Paules | Church-yeard, ouer against the | great North doore. | 1609.
Q b 1609
THE | Famous Historie of | Troylus and Cresseid. | Excellently expressing the beginning | of their loues, with the conceited wooing | of Pandarus Prince of Licia. | Written by William Shakespeare. | LONDON | Imprinted by G. Eld for R. Bonian and H. Walley, and | are to be sold at the spred Eagle in Paules | Church-yeard, ouer against the | great north doore. | 1609.
Q1 1609
THE LATE, | And much admired Play, | Called | Pericles, Prince | of Tyre. | With the true Relation of the whole Historie, | aduentures, and fortunes of the said Prince: | As also, | The no lesse strange, and worthy accidents, | in the Birth and Life, of his Daughter | MARIANA. | As it hath been diuers and sundry times acted by | his Maiesties Seruants, at the Globe on | the Banck-side. | By William Shakespeare. | Imprinted at London for Henry Gosson, and are | to be sold at the signe of the Sunne in | Pater-noster row, &c. | 1609.
Q2 1609
THE LATE, | And much admired Play, | Called | Pericles, Prince | of Tyre. | With the true Relation of the whole Historie, | aduentures, and fortunes of the said Prince: | As also, | The no lesse strange, and worthy accidents, | in the Birth and Life, of his Daughter | MARIANA. | As it hath been diuers and sundry times acted by | his Maiesties Seruants, at the Globe on | the Banck-side. | By William Shakespeare. | Imprinted at London for Henry Gosson, and are | to be sold at the signe of the Sunne in | Pater-noster row, &c. | 1609.
Q3 1611
THE LATE, | And much admired Play, | Called | Pericles, Prince | of Tyre. | With the true Relation of the whole History, | aduentures, and fortunes of the sayd Prince: | As also, | The no lesse strange, and worthy accidents, | in the Birth and Life, of his Daughter | MARIANA. | As it hath been diuers and sundry times acted by | his Maiestyes Seruants, at the Globe on | the Banck-side. | By VVilliam Shakespeare. | Printed at London by S. S. | 1611.
Q4a 1619 (first state as part of Thomas Pavier's False Folio)
THE LATE, | And much admired play, | CALLED, | Pericles, Prince of | Tyre. | With the true relation of the whole Hi- | story, aduentures, and fortunes of | the saide Prince. | Written by W. SHAKESPEARE. | Printed for T. P. 1619.
Q4b 1619 (corrected state falsely dated 1609 as part of Thomas Pavier's False Folio)
THE LATE, | And much admired play, | CALLED, | Pericles, Prince of | Tyre. | With the true relation of the whole Hi- | story, aduentures, and fortunes of | the saide Prince. | Written by W. SHAKESPEARE. | Printed for T. P. 1609.
Q5 1630
THE LATE, | And much admired play, | CALLED | Pericles, Prince of | Tyre. | With the true relation of the whole Hi- | story, aduentures, and fortunes | of the saide Prince. | Written by WILL. SHAKESPEARE. | LONDON, | Printed by I. N. for R. B. and are to be sould | at his shop in Cheapside, at the signe of the | Bible. 1630.
Q6 1635
THE LATE, | And much admired Play, | CALLED | Pericles, Prince of | Tyre. | With the true Relation of the whole Hi- | story, adventures, and fortunes of | the said Prince. | Written by W. SHAKESPEARE. | Printed at London by Thomas Cotes, 1635.
Q1 1622
THE | Tragœdy of Othello, | The Moore of Venice. | As it hath beene diuerse times acted at the | Globe, and at the Black-Friers, by | his Maiesties Seruants. | Written by VVilliam Shakespeare. | LONDON, | Printed by N. O. for Thomas Walkley, and are to be sold at his | shop, at the Eagle and Child, in Brittans Bursse. | 1622.
Q2 1630
THE | Tragœdy of Othello, | The Moore of Venice. | As it hath beene diuerse times acted at the | Globe, and at the Black-Friers, by | his Maiesties Seruants. | Written by VVilliam Shakespeare. | LONDON, | Printed by A. M. for Richard Hawkins, and are to be sold at | his shoppe, in Chancery-Lane, neere Sergeants-Inne. | 1630.
Q 1631
A WITTIE | AND PLEASANT | COMEDIE | Called | The Taming of the Shrew. | As it was acted by his Maiesties | Seruants at the Blacke Friers | and the Globe. | Written by VVill. Shakespeare. | London, | Printed by W. S. [William Stansby] for Iohn Smethwicke, and are to be | sold at his Shop in Saint Dunstones Church- | yard vnder the Diall. | 1631. (72 pp.)
Q 1634
THE | TWO | NOBLE/KINSMEN: | Presented at the Blackfriers | by the Kings Maiesties servants, | with great applause: | Written by the memorable Worthies/of their time; | Mr. John Fletcher, and} | Mr. William Shakespeare.} | Gent. | Printed at London by Tho. Cotes, for Iohn Waterson: | and are to be sold at the signe of the Crowne | in Pauls Church-yard. 1634.
The earliest texts of William Shakespeare's works were published during the 16th and 17th centuries in quarto or folio format. Folios are large, tall volumes; quartos are smaller, roughly half the size. The publications of the latter are usually abbreviated to Q1, Q2, etc., where the letter stands for "quarto" and the number for the first, second, or third edition published.
Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies is a collection of plays by William Shakespeare, commonly referred to by modern scholars as the First Folio, published in 1623, about seven years after Shakespeare's death. It is considered one of the most influential books ever published.
Thomas Lord Cromwell is an Elizabethan history play, depicting the life of Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, the minister of King Henry VIII of England.
"To be, or not to be" is a speech given by Prince Hamlet in the so-called "nunnery scene" of William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. The speech is named for the opening phrase, itself among the most widely known and quoted lines in modern English literature, and has been referenced in many works of theatre, literature and music.
The Merry Devil of Edmonton is an Elizabethan-era stage play; a comedy about a magician, Peter Fabell, nicknamed the Merry Devil. It was at one point attributed to William Shakespeare, but is now considered part of the Shakespeare Apocrypha.
John Benson was a London publisher of the middle seventeenth century, best remembered for a historically important publication of the Sonnets and miscellaneous poems of William Shakespeare in 1640.
Edmund Weaver was an English draper and a bookseller in London in the 17th century.
False Folio is the term that Shakespeare scholars and bibliographers have applied to William Jaggard's printing of ten Shakespearean and pseudo-Shakespearean plays together in 1619, the first attempt to collect Shakespeare's work in a single volume. Publisher and bookseller Thomas Pavier is also implicated with 'printed for T.P.' appearing on the title pages.
Valentine Simmes was an Elizabethan era and Jacobean era printer; he did business in London, "on Adling Hill near Bainard's Castle at the sign of the White Swan." Simmes has a reputation as one of the better printers of his generation, and was responsible for several quartos of Shakespeare's plays. [See: Early texts of Shakespeare's works.]
Thomas Creede was a printer of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, rated as "one of the best of his time." Based in London, he conducted his business under the sign of the Catherine Wheel in Thames Street from 1593 to 1600, and under the sign of the Eagle and Child in the Old Exchange from 1600 to 1617. Creede is best known for printing editions of works in English Renaissance drama, especially for ten editions of six Shakespearean plays and three works in the Shakespeare Apocrypha.
Campaspe is an Elizabethan era stage play, a prose comedy by John Lyly based on the story of the love triangle between Campaspe, a Theban captive, the artist Apelles, and Alexander the Great, who commissioned him to paint her portrait. Widely considered Lyly's earliest drama, Campaspe was an influence and a precedent for much that followed in English Renaissance drama, and was, according to F. S. Boas, "the first of the comedies with which John Lyly inaugurated the golden period of the Elizabethan theatre".
Cuthbert Burby was a London bookseller and publisher of the Elizabethan and early Jacobean eras. He is known for publishing a series of significant volumes of English Renaissance drama, including works by William Shakespeare, Robert Greene, John Lyly, and Thomas Nashe.
John Pory (1572–1636) was an English politician, administrator, traveller and author of the Jacobean and Caroline eras; the skilled linguist may have been the first news correspondent in English-language journalism. As the first Speaker of the Virginia General Assembly, Pory established parliamentary procedures for that legislative body still in use today.
The True Tragedy of Richard III is an anonymous Elizabethan history play on the subject of Richard III of England. It has attracted the attention of scholars of English Renaissance drama principally for the question of its relationship with William Shakespeare's Richard III.
Augustine Matthews was a printer in London in the Jacobean and Caroline eras. Among a wide variety of other work, Matthews printed notable texts in English Renaissance drama.
Thomas Heyes was the publisher-bookseller who published the first quarto edition of William Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, in London, in 1600. He traded from 'St Paul’s Churchyard at the sign of the Green Dragon’.
The Boar's Head Theatre was an inn-yard theatre in the Whitechapel area of London from 1598 to around 1616.
Q1 of Hamlet is a short early text of the Shakespearean play. The intended publication of the play is entered in the Stationers' Register in 1602 by James Roberts, but Q1 was not published until summer or autumn 1603. It was published by the booksellers Nicholas Ling and John Trundle, and printed by Valentine Simmes. Roberts later printed the "Second Quarto" (Q2).
The Peacham drawing, or 'Longleat manuscript', is the only surviving contemporary Shakespearean illustration, now in the library of the Marquess of Bath at Longleat in Wiltshire. The drawing appears to depict a performance of Titus Andronicus, under which is quoted some dialogue. Eugene M. Waith argues of the illustration that "the gestures and costumes give us a more vivid impression of the visual impact of Elizabethan acting than we get from any other source."
The spelling of William Shakespeare's name has varied over time. It was not consistently spelled any single way during his lifetime, in manuscript or in printed form. After his death the name was spelled variously by editors of his work, and the spelling was not fixed until well into the 20th century.