The titles are link to the Complete Works of William Shakespeare ( http://www-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/). However, Edward III and The Two Noble Kinsmen are links to Twilight Pictures with old spellings.



As you can see from the table below, Love's Labour's Lost, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and The Tempest are Shakespeare's original plots.



date publication and SR Source, influences

Edward III

1st Quarto Edition 1590

(1589-95 ) SR(1.Dec.1595)

1596(Q1)

1599(Q2) Froissart, Jean (c.1337-1410). Chroniques (c.1495) (John Bourchier's English translation in 1523-5)

(c.1495) (John Bourchier's English translation in 1523-5) Painter, William (1540-94). The Palace of Pleasure (1566-7)

(1566-7) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

Two Gentlemen of Verona 1590



1594-5



(1589-94) 1623(F1) Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-75). Decameron 10th day, the story of "Titus and Gisippus"

10th day, the story of "Titus and Gisippus" Elyot, Thomas (c.1490-1546). The Boke named the Governour (1531)

(1531) Montemayor, Jorge de (c.1521-61). Diana Enamorada (1542, English translation in 1582. publication in 1598) the story of "Felix and Felismena"

(1542, English translation in 1582. publication in 1598) the story of "Felix and Felismena" Anonymous. The History of Felix and Philiomena (the record of the performance in 1585)

(the record of the performance in 1585) Brooke, Arthur (?-1563). The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet (English translation in 1562)

(English translation in 1562) Lyly, John (c.1554-1606). Euphues (1578)

The Taming of the Shrew 1593

(1589-94) 1623(F1) Anonymous ballad. A Merry Jest of a Shrewede and Curste Wyfe (printed 1550)

(printed 1550) Gascoigne, George (1542-77). Supposes (performed 1566, published 1573, 1587. Translation of Italian drama , I suppositi (1509)

(performed 1566, published 1573, 1587. Translation of Italian drama , (1509) Anonymous. The Taming of a Shrew (1594) SR(2.May.1594)

(1594) SR(2.May.1594) the influence of Commedia dell'arte

2 Henry VI 1590-1

SR(12.Mar.1594)

1594(Q1)

1600(Q2)

1619(Q3)

1623(F1)

Hall, Edward (1498-1547). The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancaster and York (3rd. ed., 1550)

(3rd. ed., 1550) Fabyan, Robert (?-1513). New Chronicles of England and France (1516)

(1516) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Grafton, Richard (c.1512-c.1572). A Chronicle at Large of History of the Affayres of England (1516)

(1516) Hardyng, John (1378-c.1465). The Chrocicle of John Hardyng (1543)

(1543) Foxe, John (1516-87). The Book of Martyrs (4th ed., 1583)

3 Henry VI 1590-1 SR(19.Apr.1602)

1595(O)*

1600(Q2)

1619 (Q3)

1623(F1)

Hall, Edward (1498-1547). The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancaster and York (3rd. ed., 1550)

(3rd. ed., 1550) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) William Baldwin ed. The Mirror for Magistrates (1559 ed.)

(1559 ed.) Edmund Spenser (c.1552-99). The Faerie Queene (1590) - descriptions of the sun at 2.1.

(1590) - descriptions of the sun at 2.1. Brooke, Arthur (?-1563). The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet (English translation in 1562) - Queen Margaret's speech at 5.4.

(English translation in 1562) - Queen Margaret's speech at 5.4. Kyd, Thomas (1558-94) The Spanish Tragedy (1588-9) and Soliman and Perseda (1590) *For convenience sake, it is sometimes called Q1.

Titus Andronicus 1589

1592

(1588-1594)

SR(6.Feb.1594)

1594(Q1)

1600(Q2)

1611(Q3)

1623(F1) a chapbook of "Titus Andronicus" sold by chapmen.

Ovid (43 BC- AD18). Metamorphoses (Arthur Golding's English translation in 1567)

(Arthur Golding's English translation in 1567) Seneca, Lucius Annaeus (4. BC-AD65). Thyestes (English translation in 1560)

1 Henry VI 1589-92

1623(F1) Hall, Edward (1498-1547). The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancaster and York (3rd. ed., 1550)

(3rd. ed., 1550) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Fabyan, Robert (?-1513). New Chronicles of England and France ) (1516)

Richard III 1592

(1591-93)



SR(20.Oct.1597)

1597(Q1)

1598(Q2)

1602(Q3)

1605(Q4)

1612(Q5)

1622(Q6)

1623(F1)

1629 (Q7)

1634 (Q8)

Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Hall, Edward (1498-1547). The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancaster and York (1587 edition)

(1587 edition) More, Thomas. History of King Richard the Thirde . (1543)

. (1543) William Baldwin ed. The Mirror for Magistrates (1559 ed.)

Venus and Adonis 1593

(1592-1594) SR(18.Apr.1593)

1593(Q1)

1594(Q2)

1595? (O1)

1596(O2)

1599(O3)

1599(O4)

1602?(O5)

1602(O6-O8)

1617(O9)

Ovid (43 BC- AD18). Metamorphoses (Arthur Golding's English translation in 1567) Book 10.

The Rape of Lucrece 1594 SR(9.May.1594)

1594 (Q)

1598 (O1)

1600(O2)

1600(O3)

1607(O4)

1616(O5)

Ovid (43 BC- AD18). Fasti Book 2. (Latian version)

Book 2. (Latian version) Titus Livius (59BC-AD17). Ab urbe condita libri Book 1. (Latin)

Book 1. (Latin) Painter, William (1540-94). The Palace of Pleasure (1566-7)

(1566-7) Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1340-1400). The Legend of Good Women (c. 1386)

The Comedy of Errors 1591



1594

(1590-94) 1623(F1) Plautus (c.254-184 BC). Menaechmi (perfromed 1592 with English translation by William Warner, printed 1595)

(perfromed 1592 with English translation by William Warner, printed 1595) Plautus (c.254-184 BC). Amphitryon (Latin)

(Latin) George Gascoigne (1542-77). Supposes (performed 1566, published 1573, 1587. Translation of Italian drama , I suppositi (1509)

(performed 1566, published 1573, 1587. Translation of Italian drama , (1509) the influence of Commedia dell'arte

Love's Labour's Lost 1590

1594-95

SR(22.Jan.1607)

1598 (Q1)

1623(F1)

No written source for the plot has been found. the influence of Commedia dell'arte

A Midsummer Night's Dream 1595 SR(8.Oct.1600)

1600(Q1)

1619 (Q2)

1623(F1)

No written source for the plot has been found and it seems that the plot is Shakespeare's original. However, there are influences from followings. Theseus and Hippolyta Plutarch (c.46-120). Lives (Thomas North's translation in 1579)

(Thomas North's translation in 1579) Chaucer, Geoffrey (c.1340-1400). The Canterbury Tales "The Knight's Tale" (1400)



The story of "Pyramus and Thisbe" and the name of Titania.

"The Knight's Tale" (1400) The story of "Pyramus and Thisbe" and the name of Titania. Ovid (43 BC- AD18). Metamorphoses (Arthur Golding's English translation in 1567)



Oberon

(Arthur Golding's English translation in 1567) Oberon Huon of Bordeau , a 13th-century French adventure tale translated by Lord Berners (1534)

The Sonnets 1593-1603

(1593-1609) SR(20.May.1609)

1609(Q)

There are no particular source, however, Shakespeare might have been influenced by followings. Daniel, Samuel (c.1562-1619). Delia (1592) distructive "Time"

(1592) distructive "Time" Sidney, Philip (1554-86). Astrophel and Stella (1591)

(1591) indirectly but the inference of Francesco Petrarca (1304-74)

Romeo and Juliet 1595

(1594-96) SR(22.Jan.1607)

1623(F1)



Brooke, Arthur (?-1563). The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet (English translation in 1562)

Richard II 1595 SR(29.Aug.1597)

1597 (Q1)

1598 (Q2)

1598 (Q3)

1608 (Q4)

1615 (Q5)

1623(F1)

Hall, Edward (1498-1547). The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancaster and York (3rd. ed., 1550)

(3rd. ed., 1550) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Anonymous. Thomas of Woodstock (c. 1592)

(c. 1592) Froissart, Jean(c.1337-1410). Chroniques (1495?)(John Bourchier's English translation in 1523-5)

(1495?)(John Bourchier's English translation in 1523-5) William Baldwin ed. The Mirror for Magistrates (1559 ed.)

(1559 ed.) Daniel, Samuel (c.1562-1619). The Civil Wars between the Two Houses of Lancaster and York (1595-1609)

King John 1590-1



1596-7 1623(F1) Anonymous. The Troublesome Raigne of John King of England 2 Vol. (1591)(?)

2 Vol. (1591)(?) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Foxe, John (1516-87). The Book of Martyrs (4th ed., 1583)

The Merchant of Venice 1596-7 SR(22.Jul.1598)

1600(Q1)

1619(Q2)

1623(F1) Fiorentino, Ser Giovanni Il Pecorone (The Simpleton) (1558)

(The Simpleton) (1558) Gesta Romanorum (1340, translation by Richard Robinson, 1595 ed)

(1340, translation by Richard Robinson, 1595 ed) a Lost English play The Jew

Marlowe, Christopher (1564-93). The Jew of Malta (c. 1589)

(c. 1589) Munday, Anthony, Zelauto (1580)

1 Henry IV 1596-97 SR(25.Feb.1598)

?(Q0)

1598(Q1)

1599(Q2)

1604(Q3)

1608(Q4)

1613(Q5)

1622(Q6)

1623(F1) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Daniel, Samuel (c.1562-1619). The Civil Wars between the Two Houses of Lancaster and York (1595-1609)

(1595-1609) Anonymous. The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth (c. 1586)

(c. 1586) William Baldwin ed. The Mirror for Magistrates (1559 ed.)

(1559 ed.) Stow, John (1525-c.1605) The Chronicles of England (1580)

The Merry Wives of Windsor 1597

(1597-8) SR(18.Jan.1602)

1623(F1) There are no particular source for the plot, however, Shakespeare might get inspirations and be influenced by followings. Fiorentino, Ser Giovanni Il Pecorone (The Simpleton) (1558)

(The Simpleton) (1558) Ovid (43 BC- AD18). Metamorphoses (Arthur Golding's English translation in 1567)

(Arthur Golding's English translation in 1567) Lyly, John (c.1554-1606). Endimion (1588)

2 Henry IV 1597-8 SR(23.Aug.1600)

1600(Q)

1623(F1) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Anonymous. The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth (c. 1586)

(c. 1586) Hall, Edward (1498-1547). The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancaster and York (3rd. ed., 1550)

(3rd. ed., 1550) Daniel, Samuel (c.1562-1619). The Civil Wars between the Two Houses of Lancaster and York (1595-1609)

(1595-1609) William Baldwin ed. The Mirror for Magistrates (1559 ed.)

Much Ado About Nothing 1598

(1598-99) SR(4.Aug.1600)

1623(F1) Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1533). Orlando Furioso (1516)(The English translation by John Harington in 1591)

(1516)(The English translation by John Harington in 1591) Bandello, Matteo (1485-1561) Novelle (1554-73) 22th story.

(1554-73) 22th story. Edmund Spenser (c.1552-99). The Faerie Queene (1590)

(1590) Francois de Belleforest (1530-83). Histories Tragiques (1568) Book 3

(1568) Book 3 Whetstone, George The Roke of Regard (1576) -Clauido's rejuction of Hero at her own wedding

(1576) -Clauido's rejuction of Hero at her own wedding Castiglione, Baldassare (1478-1529) The Book of the Courtier (1528)

Henry V 1599

(1598-99) SR(4.Aug.1600)

1600(Q1)

1602(Q2)

1619(Q3)

1623(F1) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Anonymous. The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth (c. 1586)

(c. 1586) Robert Fabyan (?-1513). New Chronicles of England and France ) (1516)

) (1516) Samuel Daniel (c.1562-1619). The Civil Wars between the Two Houses of Lancaster and York (1595-1609)

The Passionate Pilgrim 1599 1599(O1)

?(O2)

1612(O3)

Julius Caesar 1599 1623(F1) Plutarch (c.46-120). Lives (Thomas North's English translation in 1579)

(Thomas North's English translation in 1579) Appian [Appianos] (2nd century). Civil Wars (English translation in 1578)

(English translation in 1578) Anonymous. The Tragedy of Caesar and Pompey, or Caesar's Revenge (c. 1595)

As You Like It 1599

(1599-00) SR(4.Aug.1600)

1623(F1) Thomas Lodge (c.1557-1625). Rosalynde (1590)

Hamlet 1600-01 SR(26.Jul.1602)

1603 (Q1)

1604 (Q2)

1611(Q3)

1623(F1) Thomas Kyd (1558-94). Ur-Hamlet (c. 1589)

(c. 1589) Francois de Belleforest (1530-83). Histories Tragiques Book 5 (1570)

Twelfth Night 1601

(1601-02) 1623(F1) Barnabe Riche (c.1540-1617). Farewell to Militarie Profession (1581) the story of " Apolonius and Silla"

(1581) the story of " Bandello, Matteo (1485-1561) Novelle (1554-73)

The Phoenix and the Turtle 1601 1601(Q1)

1611(Q2) There are no particular source, however, Shakespeare might have been influenced by followings. Chester, Robert Love's Martyr where The Phoenix and the Turtle appears

where The Phoenix and the Turtle appears Ovid (43 BC- AD18). Amores Book 2 6th poem.

Book 2 6th poem. Matthew Roydon's elegy in The Phoenix Nest

Chaucer, Geoffrey (c.1340-1400). The Pralement of Foules

Troilus and Cressida 1602

(1601-03) SR(7.Feb.1603)

1609(Q)

1623(F1) Homer (c. 900.BC). Iliad (English translation in 1598 by George Chapman)

(English translation in 1598 by George Chapman) Chaucer, Geoffrey (c.1340-1400). Troilus and Criseyde (c. 1385)

(c. 1385) Caxton, William (c.1421-91). Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye ) (1475, 5th ed. 1596)

) (1475, 5th ed. 1596) Lydgate, John (c.1370-1449). The Troy Book (1412-20, 1555 ed)



A Lover's Complaint 1603-04

(1600-04) SR(20.May.1609)

1609(Q)

Samuel Daniel (c.1562-1619). The Complaint of Rosamond (1592)

(1592) Edmund Spenser (c.1552-99). Complaints (1591)

Measure for Measure 1604

(1603-04) 1623(F1) Geroge Whetstone (c.1544-87). Promos and Cassandra (1578)

(1578) Cinthio, Giovanni Battista Giraldi.1504-73). Hecatommithi (1565. No English translations have found, therefore, Shakespeare probably read it either in Italian or French.)

(1565. No English translations have found, therefore, Shakespeare probably read it either in Italian or French.) Cinthio, Giovanni Battista Giraldi.1504-73) Epitia (1583. No English translations have found, therefore, Shakespeare probably read it either in Italian or French..)

(1583. No English translations have found, therefore, Shakespeare probably read it either in Italian or French..) Barnabe Riche (c.1540-1617). The Adventures of Brusanus, prince of Hungaria (1592)--Lucio's interactions with the disguised Duke.

Othello 1603-04 SR(6.Oct.1621)

1622(Q1)

1623(F1)

1630(Q2)

Cinthio (Giovanni Battista Giraldi.1504-73). Hecatommithi (1565. No English translations have found, therefore, Shakespeare probably read it either in Italian or French.) Book 2, 7th story of "Disdemona and the Moor"

(1565. No English translations have found, therefore, Shakespeare probably read it either in Italian or French.) Book 2, 7th story of "Disdemona and the Moor" Pliny, the Elder (23-79). Naturalia Historia (Philemon Holland's translation in 1601)

(Philemon Holland's translation in 1601) Africanus, Leo. A Geographical History of Africa (English translation by John Pory, 1600)

All's Well That Ends Well 1605

(1602-05) 1623(F1) Painter, William (1540-94). The Palace of Pleasure (1566-7)

Timon of Athens 1605

(1604-08) 1623(F1) Plutarch (c.46-120). Lives (Thomas North's English translation in 1579)

(Thomas North's English translation in 1579) Lucian (c. 120-180). Timon, the Misanthrope (No English translation which Shakespeare could use is found.)

(No English translation which Shakespeare could use is found.) John Lyly (c.1554-1606). Campaspe (c. 1584)

(c. 1584) Anonymous. Timon . (c. 1602)

King Lear 1605

(1605-06) SR(26.Nov.1607)

1608(Q1)

1619(Q2)

1623(F1) Anonymous. The True Chronicle History of King Leir (c. 1590)

(c. 1590) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Sidney, Philip (1554-86). The Arcadia (1590)

(1590) Spenser, Edmund (c.1552-99). The Faerie Queene (1590)

Macbeth 1606 1623(F1) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Buchanan, George (1506-82) (1582)

Seneca, Lucius Annaeus (4BC. - AD 65). Hercules Furens and Agamemnon (English translation in 1565)

Antony and Cleopatra 1607

(1606-07) SR(20 May.1608)

1623(F1) Plutarch (c.46-120). Lives (Thomas North's translation in 1579)

(Thomas North's translation in 1579) Appian [Appianos] (2nd century). Civil Wars (English translation in 1578)

(English translation in 1578) Daniel, Samuel (c.1562-1619). The Tragedy of Cleopatra (c. 1594)

Pericles 1607-08 SR(20.May.1608)

1609(Q1)

1609(Q2)

1611(Q3)

1619(Q4)

1630(Q5)

1635(Q6)

1664(F3) Gower, John (c. 1330-1408) Confessio Amantis . (1554 ed) which was from the medieval collection of Latin tales, Gesta Romanorum (c. 1340)

. (1554 ed) which was from the medieval collection of Latin tales, (c. 1340) Twine, Lurence (active 1564-1576) The patterne of Painefull Adventures (1594, 1607)

(1594, 1607) Sidney, Philip (1554-86). The Arcadia (1590)

Coriolanus 1608

(1607-08) 1623(F1) Plutarch (c.46-120). Lives (Thomas North's English translation in 1579)

(Thomas North's English translation in 1579) Livius, Titus or Livy (59BC-AD17). Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Philemon Holland's English translation as The Romane Historie in 1600.)

(Philemon Holland's English translation as in 1600.) Camden, William (1551-1623). Remaines of Greater Worke Concerning Britain (1605)

(1605) Averell, William A Marvaillous Combat of Contrarieties

The Winter's Tale 1609

(1609-11) 1623(F1) Robert Greene (c.1558-92). Pandosto (1588)

(1588) Ovid (43 BC- AD18). Metamorphoses (Arthur Golding's English translation in 1567)

Cymbeline 1609

(1609-10) 1623(F1) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) William Baldwin ed). The Mirror for Magistrates (1559 ed.)

(1559 ed.) Anonymous. Frederyke of Jennen 3rd ed., (1560)

3rd ed., (1560) Anonymous. The Rare Triumphs of Love and Fortune (performed 158, printed 1589)

(performed 158, printed 1589) Boccaccio, Giovanni (1313-75). Decameron 2nd Day, 9th story

The Tempest 1611

(1610-11) 1623(F1) There are no particular source for the plot, however, Shakespeare might get inspirations and be influenced by the event. In June 1609, the Sea Adventure was wrecked at Bermuda. A survivor William Strachey described his experience in a letter and his letter was circulate din manuscript. Strachey, William (c.1567-c.1634) (dated 15.Jul.1610, printed 1625)

Jourdain, Sylvester (?-1650). A Discovery of the Bermudas (1610)

(1610) Jourdain, Sylvester (?-1650) The True Declaration of the Estate of Colonie in virginia (1610)

Henry VIII

1613

(1612-13) 1623(F1) Holinshed, Raphael (c. 1528-c. 1580). The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . (2nd ed., 1587)

. (2nd ed., 1587) Foxe, John (1516-87). The Book of Martyrs (4th ed., 1583)