Determining William Shakespeare’s initial foray into playwriting remains one of the most intriguing puzzles in literary history. Scholars generally place his earliest dramatic efforts between 1589 and 1594, a period when he likely arrived in London and began establishing himself in the theater scene. No definitive record crowns a single play as his absolute first, leading to vigorous debates centered on works like the Henry VI trilogy, The Comedy of Errors, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Taming of the Shrew.
Shakespeare’s Entry into London’s Theatrical World
By 1592, Shakespeare’s reputation as a dramatist was solidifying in London, marking the start of his prolific career that spanned comedies, histories, tragedies, and romances from 1589 to 1613. His early output focused heavily on comedies and histories, genres where he quickly excelled. Influences from contemporaries like Thomas Kyd and Christopher Marlowe, alongside medieval traditions and Seneca’s works, shaped these initial pieces. The historical context was ripe: London’s playhouses buzzed with around 3,000 new plays between 1560 and 1640, often recycling older stories rather than inventing wholly original plots.
Shakespeare’s path likely began with adaptations. For instance, The Comedy of Errors drew from Plautus’s ancient Roman plots, while many histories pulled from Raphael Holinshed’s 1587 Chronicles. This era’s vogue for historical dramas, especially those justifying Tudor rule through tales of weak kings, provided fertile ground. His first printed works were actually poems—Venus and Adonis (1593) and The Rape of Lucrece (1594)—dedicated to patron Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, suggesting poetry preceded or paralleled his stage debut.
Prime Candidates for Shakespeare’s First Play
Several plays vie for the title of Shakespeare’s inaugural work, each backed by a mix of performance records, stylistic analysis, and contemporary mentions. Here’s a breakdown of the leading contenders:
- Henry VI Parts 1, 2, and 3 (1590-1592): Often cited as his earliest, especially Part II, believed penned around 1591 as his first English history play. Part I ties to a 1592 Rose Theatre performance of ‘harey the vi.’ These draw directly from Holinshed, dramatizing civil strife to underscore Tudor legitimacy.
- The Comedy of Errors (1590-1594): Viewed by some as his debut comedy and possibly overall first play post-London arrival. Its simple structure and scenes with limited characters suggest novice technique. Linguistic tests align it near Richard II and Romeo and Juliet (1594-1595), with borrowings from John Lyly’s Midas (1588-1589). First court performance: December 28, 1604.
- The Taming of the Shrew (1591-1592): A strong rival, with a possible 1594 Stationers’ Register entry and Henslowe’s June 11, 1594, diary noting a Newington Butts show—likely Shakespeare’s version given his company’s involvement. Appears in the 1623 First Folio; some date it pre-London (1586).
- The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1590s): Mentioned in Francis Meres’s 1598 Palladis Tamia, indicating early composition. Stylistic evidence points to the 1590s.
- Titus Andronicus (1591-1592): Co-written possibly, with a January 1594 performance. Fits the early experimental phase.
Historical Records and Performance Evidence
Pinpointing dates relies on fragmented evidence: Stationers’ Register entries, diaries like Philip Henslowe’s, playhouse records, and the 1623 First Folio. Francis Meres’s 1598 Palladis Tamia lists several plays, implying prior performances. For example, a ‘Tamynge of A Shrowe’ in 1594 could be Shakespeare’s or an earlier version, but shared theater use suggests his hand.
Henry VI Part III saw a 1595 Octavo publication, while Richard III (early 1590s) followed the trilogy. Love’s Labour’s Won (1595-1598), also in Meres, might be a lost sequel or alternate title, hinting at even earlier lost works. No play boasts an undisputed ‘first’ performance in Shakespeare’s lifetime, complicating matters.
| Play | Estimated Date | Key Evidence | First Known Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henry VI Part II | 1591 | Holinshed influence; history vogue | 1592 (Rose) |
| Comedy of Errors | 1590-1594 | Stylistic novice traits; Lyly borrow | 1604 (court) |
| Taming of the Shrew | 1591-1592 | 1594 Henslowe diary; Register | 1594 (Newington) |
| Two Gentlemen of Verona | 1590s | Meres 1598 mention | Unknown early |
| Titus Andronicus | 1591-1592 | Early tragedy style | 1594 (possible) |
Stylistic and Linguistic Clues
Scholars dissect verse-prose ratios, rhyme frequency, colloquialisms, and rare words to date plays. The Comedy of Errors shows ‘inexperience’ in multi-character scenes, per Stanley Wells, aligning it early despite later stylistic ties. Early histories like Henry VI exhibit raw energy but technical uncertainty, evolving rapidly into polished works like Richard III.
Charles Gildon (1710) dismissed one early play as Shakespeare’s ‘worst,’ implying juvenilia. Adaptations were norm: Shrew reworked prior scripts; Errors plundered Plautus. This praxis allowed Shakespeare to hone craft swiftly amid competitive theaters.
Debates and Scholarly Perspectives
Consensus leans toward Henry VI Part II as the first due to its historical primacy and 1591 dating, but outliers persist. A.J. Honigmann posits Shrew at 1586, pre-London. Titus Andronicus’s brutality marks it as apprentice work, possibly collaborative. Modern analyses favor flexible chronologies, acknowledging revisions.
Robert Greene’s 1592 ‘upstart crow’ attack affirms Shakespeare’s rising status, likely post-Henry VI. The First Folio’s 1623 grouping aids but doesn’t resolve origins.
Evolution from Early Works to Mastery
Shakespeare’s debut phase (1589-1594) yielded genre-defining plays. Histories explored power’s perils; comedies tested farce. By mid-1590s, masterpieces like Romeo and Juliet emerged. Later tragedies (Hamlet, Othello) and romances (The Tempest) capped his arc, but roots trace to these tentative starts.
Understanding his first play illuminates genius forged in London’s rowdy playhouses, blending innovation with tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most likely first play by Shakespeare?
Henry VI Part II (1591) is frequently regarded as his earliest, based on historical timelines and performance records, though debates favor others like The Comedy of Errors.
Why is dating Shakespeare’s plays challenging?
Lack of autographs, reliance on indirect evidence like diaries and stylistic tests, plus possible collaborations and revisions, create ambiguity.
Were Shakespeare’s early plays original?
No, they often adapted sources: histories from Holinshed, comedies from Plautus or Lyly, reflecting Elizabethan norms.
When did Shakespeare start writing plays?
Likely 1589-1594, post-London arrival around 1590, with reputation by 1592.
Is there proof of Shakespeare’s first play?
No single definitive record exists; evidence is circumstantial from registers, performances, and analyses.
References
- A Brief History of Shakespeare — Marquee TV. N/A. https://marquee.tv/article/a-brief-history-of-shakespeare
- Chronology of Shakespeare’s plays — Wikipedia. 2023-10-01. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Shakespeare%27s_plays
- William Shakespeare — Wikipedia. 2023-10-01. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare
- Shakespeare’s Career — Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (shakespeare.org.uk). N/A. https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/william-shakespeare/shakespeare-career/
- Timeline of Shakespeare’s plays — Royal Shakespeare Company. N/A. https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeares-plays/histories-timeline/timeline
- Writing plays — Shakespeare’s Globe. N/A. https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/discover/shakespeares-world/writing-plays/
Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. Medha specializes in the areas of beauty, health, sports, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is…