
Set against the mist‑filled gardens of a regal British court, the story opens with King Cymbeline presiding over a realm still scarred by war with Rome. His queen, his loyal subjects, and his young daughter Imogen move through a tangled web of duty, loyalty, and hidden pasts. Beneath the splendor of palace life, rival nobles whisper of power and revenge, while distant battlefields loom as a reminder of the kingdom’s fragile peace.
In the first act, the audience meets Posthumus, a charismatic yet exiled youth raised by the king as his own son, and his secret love, the innocent Imogen. Their clandestine bond sparks a series of misunderstandings that set the stage for mistaken identities, jealous schemes, and a looming trial that threatens to tear families apart. As alliances shift and disguises are adopted, the characters wrestle with questions of honor, love, and the true cost of loyalty.
The play blends the grandeur of mythic history with witty banter and moments of tender affection, offering listeners a rich tapestry of intrigue and emotion that promises deeper revelations as the tale unfolds.
Language
fi
Duration
~2 hours (155K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2007-09-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1564–1616
Often called the greatest writer in the English language, this English playwright and poet created dramas and verses that still feel alive on the page and stage. His stories of ambition, love, jealousy, power, and loss continue to speak to readers centuries later.
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