While it was not published until 1623, The Life and Death of King John is usually dated at about 1596.
The Tragedy of King Richard the Second followed, but this play, whose abdication scene was said to have been deleted during the lifetime of Elizabeth I, was not printed until 1597.
Because of its perceived anti-Semitic content, The Merchant of Venice has been surrounded in controversy, but when it was first registered in 1598, its content simply reflected accepted views.
Shakespeare turned once again to history for inspiration with the composition of The History of Henry the Fourth (1 Henry IV), first printed in 1598.
A comedy appeared next with the composition of The Merry Wives of Windsor in 1597–98.
Although not printed until 1600, Shakespeare probably wrote The Second Part of Henry Fourth immediately after he finished the first play in the sequence.
As he had done in the past, Shakespeare penned a comedy after the historical play, this time Much Ado About Nothing, probably composed in 1598.
The Life of Henry the Fifth soon followed in 1599.
Another history followed, but this time Shakespeare turned to early Roman history for inspiration. Although The Tragedy of Julius Caesar was not published until 1623, its composition is thought to be 1598–99.
With the composition of As You Like It, probably in 1599, Shakespeare recalls the influences of earlier pastoral poetry; however, this comedy marks the end of the playwright's light romantic comedies.
