Cymbeline facts for kids
Cymbeline is an exciting play written by the famous English playwright William Shakespeare. It's a mix of different types of plays, often called a "tragicomedy," because it has both sad and funny parts. The story is set in ancient Britain and Rome.
Shakespeare got ideas for Cymbeline from several old books. One main source was Holinshed's Chronicles by Raphael Holinshed, which was a history book. He also used parts of History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth, which tells stories about early British kings, including a real king named Cunobelinus. For some of the plot details, Shakespeare looked at a story from Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio.
The play was first performed around April 1611. It was later printed for everyone to read in 1623. This was part of a big collection called the First Folio, which included almost all of Shakespeare's plays.
Contents
What is Cymbeline About?
Cymbeline tells the story of King Cymbeline of Britain and his daughter, Imogen. The play is full of adventure, mistaken identities, and surprising twists. It explores themes like loyalty, jealousy, and forgiveness.
Main Characters in the Play
- King Cymbeline: The King of Britain. He has a daughter, Imogen, and two sons who were stolen when they were very young.
- Imogen: The brave and loyal daughter of King Cymbeline. She secretly marries Posthumus Leonatus, which makes her father angry.
- Posthumus Leonatus: A good and honorable young man. He is banished from Britain after marrying Imogen.
- Iachimo: A sneaky Italian nobleman. He makes a bet with Posthumus that he can prove Imogen is not loyal.
- Queen: Cymbeline's second wife and Imogen's stepmother. She is very ambitious and wants her own son, Cloten, to marry Imogen.
- Cloten: The Queen's rude and foolish son. He tries to force Imogen to marry him.
- Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus: Belarius is an old lord who was banished by King Cymbeline. He raised Cymbeline's two lost sons, Guiderius and Arviragus, in a cave, not knowing who they really were.
The Story's Setting
The play takes place in two main locations:
- Ancient Britain: This is where King Cymbeline rules. Many scenes happen in his palace and in the wild Welsh countryside.
- Ancient Rome: Some parts of the story happen in Rome, where Posthumus goes after being banished. There is also a conflict between Britain and Rome in the play.
Key Events in the Story
The play begins with King Cymbeline being very upset. His daughter, Imogen, has secretly married Posthumus. The King banishes Posthumus from Britain.
While Posthumus is in Rome, a man named Iachimo bets him that he can make Imogen seem unfaithful. Iachimo tricks Posthumus into believing that Imogen has been disloyal. This makes Posthumus very angry, and he plans to get revenge on Imogen.
Meanwhile, Imogen's stepmother, the Queen, tries to force Imogen to marry her own son, Cloten. Imogen runs away from the palace to find Posthumus. During her journey, she meets Belarius and the two young men, Guiderius and Arviragus, who are actually her long-lost brothers.
The story also includes a war between Britain and Rome. Many characters get caught up in battles and misunderstandings. In the end, many secrets are revealed, and the characters learn important lessons about trust and forgiveness. The play finishes with a happy reunion and peace.
Why is Cymbeline Important?
Cymbeline is a great example of Shakespeare's later plays. It combines elements from his comedies, tragedies, and history plays. It shows how he could weave together many different storylines and characters into one exciting adventure. The play is known for its beautiful poetry and its complex plot.
Images for kids
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Image of Thomas D'Urfey, who adapted Shakespeare's Cymbeline in 1682.
In Spanish: Cimbelino para niños
