Romeo and Juliet was most likely written by William Shakespeare between 1591 and 1595, with many scholars favoring the years 1594-1595. The play was first published in a quarto edition in early 1597. This first printed edition is considered a "bad quarto," likely reconstructed from memory by actors, and differs from later versions of the text. A more complete and authoritative text appeared in later quartos and the First Folio of 1623. In summary:
- Composition dates: around 1591-1595, with 1594-1595 being widely accepted.
- First printed edition: 1597 (quarto).
- First Folio publication: 1623.
These key dates establish the initial publication period for Romeo and Juliet.
