# The second quarto of Hamlet is printed in 1604/5

Date: 1604

## The fact

The second quarto of Hamlet, dated 1604 on some title-pages and 1605 on others, prints a much longer text than Q1. It is a completed reprint-with-difference, not the same book as 1603.

## Context

Q2 is the text from which most modern reading Hamlets still descend, together with the Folio. The two-year gap after Q1 matters: someone in the book trade thought a fuller Hamlet would sell. That is commercial, not ministerial.

## Evidence and sources

Surviving Q2 copies described by the British Library and Folger establish the imprint and the longer text. They do not establish [Shakespeare](/people/william-shakespeare)'s personal proofreading of the sheets. Wikipedia is not used as a causal source.

## Significance

A fuller printed tragedy is a different public object than a reported short text. Education-adjacent access rises because the speeches later taught in schools mostly live in this line of copy.

## What is established and what is not

Established: 1604/5 longer Hamlet quarto. Not established: that Shakespeare authorised every line; that school use began in 1605. Confidence high on the book, medium on authorial copy.

The event remains dated 1604-01-01. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare's company play appears in a much fuller printed text than Q1. The longer 1604/5 Hamlet became the principal reading text before the Folio, a print-education path. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1604-01-01. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare's company play appears in a much fuller printed text than Q1. The longer 1604/5 Hamlet became the principal reading text before the Folio, a print-education path. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1604-01-01. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare's company play appears in a much fuller printed text than Q1. The longer 1604/5 Hamlet became the principal reading text before the Folio, a print-education path. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1604-01-01. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare's company play appears in a much fuller printed text than Q1. The longer 1604/5 Hamlet became the principal reading text before the Folio, a print-education path. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1604-01-01. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare's company play appears in a much fuller printed text than Q1. The longer 1604/5 Hamlet became the principal reading text before the Folio, a print-education path. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1604-01-01. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare's company play appears in a much fuller printed text than Q1. The longer 1604/5 Hamlet became the principal reading text before the Folio, a print-education path. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1604-01-01. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare's company play appears in a much fuller printed text than Q1. The longer 1604/5 Hamlet became the principal reading text before the Folio, a print-education path. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

## People

- William Shakespeare: https://factrail.ai/people/william-shakespeare

## Drivers

- Teacher Quality and Supply: https://factrail.ai/drivers/edu-teacher-quality-supply

## Sources

- https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/hamlet-1605
- https://shakespearedocumented.folger.edu/

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/shakespeare-hamlet-q2-1604