As Cymbeline opens, two Gentlemen are discussing the state of Cymbeline's kingdom. They note that the King's virtuous daughter, Imogen, has married the equally virtuous Posthumus Leonatus, to the considerable displeasure of the King and Queen; Imogen is the King's daughter by a former wife, and he and his current Queen wanted Imogen to marry the Queen's son by a previous marriage of her own, the cloddish Cloten. We also learn that the King previously was the father to twin boys, Guiderius and Arvigarus, who were stolen from him in their infancy and never heard from again. His new Queen is wicked and duplicitous, acting as though she is happy for Imogen and Posthumus but secretly orchestrating their undoing. In his rage, the King banishes…

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• Cymbeline Summary
• About Cymbeline
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Act One
• Summary and Analysis of Act Two
• Summary and Analysis of Act Three
• Summary and Analysis of Act Four
• Summary and Analysis of Act Five
• Editions of Cymbeline
• Related Links on Cymbeline
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Cymbeline: Major Themes
• Cymbeline: Essays
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• Cymbeline: Questions
• Cymbeline: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• William Shakespeare: Biography