Category Archives: Cymbeline

Cymbeline on Youtube

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Lizzie Ross

Here’s my last word on Cymbeline, posted on this 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s baptism. Calmgrove has very kindly saved me the trouble of writing an extensive analysis (read his post here), so I’ll just speculate a bit about the play’s … Continue reading →

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Cymbeline V: Revenge, remorse, reconciliation

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Lizzie Ross

Every writer has heard the advice “Show, don’t tell.” Exposition drags at the plot, often bringing it to a standstill. True to form, Shakespeare ignores this rule. Much like the point in the murder mystery where the detective has gathered … Continue reading →

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The geography of Cymbeline

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Lizzie Ross

Originally posted on Calmgrove:
Roman Britain according to Ptolemy c. 90rx–168 The first thing to remember is that The Tragedie of Cymbeline is, despite its published title, a comedy. It’s certainly not a Shakespearean ‘history’ so we mustn’t expect any…

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Cymbeline IV: The Head

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Lizzie Ross

Now we’re cooking with gas, as they say. To shift metaphors, the tangle of plot threads is starting to form a coherent pattern. Act IV is packed with action: Imogen — still with Belarius, Guiderius and Arbiragus; still disguised as a boy … Continue reading →

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Cymbeline III: The Brothers

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Lizzie Ross

Aha! The long-lost princes appear in this act, as does the box of poisons (remember — not actually dangerous, just sleep inducing), and even hints of war appear at the edges. Plot lines start to cross, with complications ensuing. In … Continue reading →

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Cymbeline II: The Trunk

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Lizzie Ross

I’m starting to see the comic potential of this play. Cloten, the princely prat, has the best line so far. He’s just come in from a night of carousing and beating up his inferiors, and reviews his latest adventures with … Continue reading →

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Cymbeline 1: The Wager

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Lizzie Ross

Act I: Ancient Britain. King Cymbeline has remarried, and his current wife (“the Queen”) hopes to wed Cloten, her son by a previous marriage, to Cymbeline’s heir, his daughter Imogen. Cloten, however, is a braggart whom all at court, except his mother … Continue reading →

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