Cymbeline Guide

One of the most distinctive features of William Shakespeare’s (written c. 1608–1610) is its extreme genre-defying complexity , often referred to as a "romance" or "tragicomedy".

: In one of the most fantastical moments in the Shakespearean canon, the god Jupiter descends from the heavens on the back of an eagle to deliver a prophecy. Imogen: Shakespeare’s "Best" Female Lead? Cymbeline

: Cymbeline’s Queen is a classic fairy-tale villainess who uses real poisons and fake potions to secure power for her son, Cloten. One of the most distinctive features of William

: Two princes, kidnapped in infancy, live as "noble savages" in a cave in Wales, unaware of their royal blood. Imogen: Shakespeare’s "Best" Female Lead

While officially listed as a tragedy in the First Folio, the play is famous—and sometimes infamous—for being a "Gordian knot" of plotlines that combines ancient British history, Roman politics, Italian intrigue, and fairy-tale magic. Key Feature: The "Kitchen Sink" Plot

: A husband (Posthumus) makes a reckless bet on his wife's (Imogen) chastity, a plot point borrowed from Boccaccio's Decameron .

The play is unique because Shakespeare appears to intentionally throw in every dramatic device he ever used. A single production can feel like a "best of" Shakespeare marathon: