Cymbeline was one of the last plays Shakespeare wrote before it all came to a close. It’s a Tragicomedy, and contains all the parts a tragicomedy should. It has a happy ending, but still has Cloten’s head being lobbed off in Act IV, and of course the evil Queen dies just after she goes mad at the end of the play. I thought this was one of the easier plays to read, but than again that might just because I’m getting used to the language. I though there were very funny parts, for example of the interchange between Imogen and Cloten after his failed attempt to woo her and Imogen tells him he’s not worthy of Posthumus’ “means’t garment”, and he just can’t seem to get over that. And it has creepy moments, like when Iachimo is in Imogen’s room and sneaking around very stalkerish. However, what I didn’t like was how the ending seemed so rushed. It just kind of seemed that all the loose ends were being tossed together just so it could end.
In my opinion, the most fascinating character relationships to discuss are that of Imogen and Posthumus. I find it interesting that Imogen is put on such a high pedestal and that she is nearly perfect. So should Posthumus have the right to brag in his exile about the faithful ness of his wife? One should think so, but it is that attitude that got him into trouble. Iachimo ended up tricking Posthumus and in a way it lead to Imogen getting into all that trouble later on. It almost cost her, her life when Cloten was seeking after her. And at the end, even though she was disguised at the time, Posthumus strikes her. I don’t know it’s just kind of weird and complex with a simple ending.
All in all I think I’m giving it 3 out of 5.
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