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The play must have been written by late 1606. Additionally, scholars generally agree that the play is indebted to Samuel

Because the versions of Hamlet which appeared in 1603, in 1604  and in the First Folio of 1623 differ so

Textual evidence and certain topical allusions suggest the play was composed as a specially commissioned piece for a Garter Feast,

The play was obviously in existence by 1598, however, other evidence places its date of composition as earlier, probably 1596.

According to the title page of the 1594 quarto, the play had been performed by Pembroke’s Men, a company which

Philip Henslowe saw a new play entitled Harey Vj, but gives no further information. In August, Thomas Nashe published Piers

Traditionally, the play has been dated quite early, and has often been seen as Shakespeare’s first comedy, perhaps his first