ABSTRACT
The next four years were probably among the most satisfying of Neville’slife; they were certainly among the most productive. In this period, which ended with his appointment as Ambassador to France, he probably wrote eight plays. Many were in his history sequence, to which he apparently gave a more political edge as he seemingly became involved with the growing movement in support of the Earl of Essex. His plays became more profound, even his so-called comedies such as The Merchant of Venice, which was probably composed around 1596-97. In this period Neville also created his most popular character, Falstaff, and probably wrote most of his greatest patriotic play, Henry V.
