Cymbeline
1623

Cymbeline, written by William Shakespeare and first published in 1623, is a complex play set in Ancient Britain that intertwines themes of love, betrayal, and the quest for power. The narrative follows Imogen, the daughter of King Cymbeline, who secretly marries Posthumus against her father's wishes, leading to a series of dramatic events fueled by jealousy, deception, and cross-gender disguise. Often classified as a tragicomedy, it explores the emotional turmoil of its characters and reflects on honor and reconciliation amidst political intrigue. The play is notable for its blend of improbable storytelling and mythic elements, akin to Shakespeare's later works.
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“Fear no more the heat o' the sun,Nor the furious winter's rages;Thou thy worldly task hast done,Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages;Golden lads and girls all must,As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.Fear no more the frown o' the great;Thou art past the tyrant's stroke:Care no more to clothe and eat;To thee the reed is as the oak:The sceptre, learning, physic, mustAll follow this, and come to dust.Fear no more the lightning-flash,Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone;Fear not slander, censure rash;Thou hast finished joy and moan;All lovers young, all lovers mustConsign to thee, and come to dust. No exorciser harm thee! Nor no witchcraft charm thee! Ghost unlaid forbear thee! Nothing ill come near thee! Quiet consummation have; And renownéd be thy grave!””
— William Shakespeare
“Hang there like a fruit, my soul, Till the tree die!””
— William Shakespeare
“Golden lads and girls all must as chimney sweepers come to dust.””
— William Shakespeare
“Kneel not to me.The pow'r that I have on you is to spare you;The malice towards you to forgive you. Live,And deal with others better.””
— William Shakespeare
“I am glad I was up so late, for that's the reason I was up so early.””
— William Shakespeare
“The pow'r I have on you is to spare you / The malice towards you, to forgive you. Posthumus””
— William Shakespeare
“Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.””
— William Shakespeare
“our cageWe make a quire, as doth the prison'd bird,And sing our bondage freely.””
— William Shakespeare
“Pardon's the word to all.””
— William Shakespeare
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Shakespeare, William. Cymbeline. Lex, lex-books.com/book/cymbeline-f184969d-d0c6-4660-b4e7-7c4c8bcc41ac.Shakespeare, W. (1623). Cymbeline. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/cymbeline-f184969d-d0c6-4660-b4e7-7c4c8bcc41acShakespeare, William. Cymbeline. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/cymbeline-f184969d-d0c6-4660-b4e7-7c4c8bcc41ac.














































