when was romeo and juliet written

Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1591 and 1596. Scholars generally estimate the composition of the play occurred between 1591 and 1595 or 1594 and 1596, with many favoring the period around 1595-1596. The play was first published in a quarto version in 1597, which is considered a pirated or "bad quarto," with a more reliable authorized quarto appearing later. The play likely first performed by Shakespeare's company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, around 1595-1596.