Page:Hamlet - The Arden Shakespeare - 1899.djvu/20

 later form of Shakespeare's play were woven in by actors who arrived in Germany at a later date.

Under the date July 26, 1602, was entered in the Stationers' Registers for the printer James Roberts, "A booke called The Revenge of Hamlet Prince [of] Denmarke, as yt was latelie Acted by the Lord Chamberleyne his servantes." There are no grounds for supposing that Shakespeare wrote the play earlier than 1602. In the following year appeared in quarto, "The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet Prince of Denmarke By William Shake-speare. As it hath beene diverse times acted by his Highnesse servants in the Cittie of London: as also in the two Vniversities of Cambridge and Oxford, and elsewhere. At London printed for N. L. and John Trundell. 1603." The Lord Chamberlain's servants of 1602—Shakespeare's company—had, since the accession of James I., become his Highness' servants. It is conjectured that the play was acted at the Universities "at some entertainment in honour of the king's accession," the subject being connected "with the native country of his queen."

In 1604 appeared a second Quarto: "The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke. By William Shakespeare. Newly imprinted and enlarged to almost as much againe as it was, according to the true and perfect Coppie. At London, Printed by I. R. for N. L.,