All Is Not Gold That Glisters

Henry Chettle (1601)


Historical Records

Payments to Playwrights (Henslowe's Diary)


F. 86 (Greg, I.135)

Layd owte at the a poyntment of Samwell
Rowley vnto harey chettell in parte of paymente
for a Boocke called al is not gold yt glesters
the last of mrche 1601 some of } xxxxs


pd vnto harey chettell the 6 of aprell
1601 in full payment of a Boocke called
al is not gold that glisters at the a
poyntment of Samwell Rowley some of } iiijli




Theatrical Provenance


Authorized by Rowley as a representative of the Admiral's men, the play would have been presented at the Fortune playhouse in late spring 1601.

Probable Genre(s)


Comedy? (Harbage)

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues


The proverb that doubles as title for the play is a warning "against trusting an attractive outward appearance" (Wiggins #1280).



References to the Play


None known.

Critical Commentary

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For What It's Worth


Chettle worked on several plays with proverbial titles: "Tis No Deceit to Deceive the Deceiver", "Christmas Comes but Once a Year", "Love Parts Friendship", and "Too Good to be true".

Works Cited

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Site created and maintained by Roslyn L. Knutson, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; updated 18 May 2016.