001 - Dramatis Personae

Cymbeline is a captivating late romance by Shakespeare, weaving together elements of comedy and tragedy much like The Tempest and The Winters Tale. The story follows Imogen, the spirited daughter of King Cymbeline of Britain, who defies her fathers wishes by marrying the noble but impoverished Posthumus. When the King banishes Posthumus, he travels to Rome, where he falls victim to the deceitful Iachimo, who seeks to sow seeds of doubt about Imogens loyalty. Meanwhile, the scheming Queen, Imogens stepmother, conspires to marry her daughter off to her good-for-nothing son, Cloten. As love, betrayal, and mistaken identities unfold, the tale takes the audience on a remarkable journey through loyalty and deception. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)