Cymbeline

Summary

Cymbeline was first printed in 1623, at the end of the First Folio, among the tragedies, and under the title. The Tragedie of Cymbeline. The text was taken from a prompt-book copy, and was divided into acts and scenes; but it was so carelessly printed that it is full of obscure and perplexing readings. In this play Shakespeare seems to have had the assistance of a coadjutor, who was responsible for the Vision of Posthumus in Act V, which is not an integral part of the action, and perhaps for portions of the Belarius plot.

The play was probably first produced in 1610; in style, diction, and versification it resembles the two romantic comedies, The Winter's Tale and The Tempest, which appeared in 1610 and 1611, respectively. Dr. Simon Forman, astrologer, quack, and theatregoer, who in his Book of Plays kept a record of the plays he attended, gives a synopsis of the plot of 'Cimbalin' in an undated entry which follows an entry dated May 15, 1611, recording a performance of 'The Winters Talle at the glob.' On January 1, 1633/4, 'Cymbeline was acted at court by the King's players. Well likte by the Kinge.'[