Cymbeline , also known as The Tragedie of Cymbeline or Cymbeline, King of Britain, is a play by William Shakespeare set in Ancient Britain () and based on legends that formed part of the Matter of Britain concerning the early Celtic British King Cunobeline. Although it is listed as a tragedy in the First Folio, modern critics often classify Cymbeline as a romance or even a comedy. Like Othello and The Winter's Tale, it deals with the themes of innocence and jealousy. While the precise date of composition remains unknown, the play was certainly produced as early as 1611. Characters In Britain Cymbeline – Modelled on the historical King of Britain, Cunobeline, and father to Imogen Queen – Cymbeline's second wife and mother to Cloten Imogen/Innogen – Cymbeline's daughter by a former queen, later disguised as the page Fidele Posthumus Leonatus – Innogen's husband, adopted as an orphan and raised in Cymbeline's family Cloten – Queen's son by a former husband and step-brother to Imogen Belarius – banished lord living under the name Morgan, who abducted King Cymbeline's infant sons in retaliation for his banishment Guiderius – Cymbeline's son, kidnapped in childhood by Belarius and raised as his son Polydore Arvirargus – Cymbeline's son, kidnapped in childhood by Belarius and raised as his son Cadwal Pisanio – Posthumus's servant, loyal to both Posthumus and Imogen Cornelius – court physician Helen – lady attending Imogen Two Lords attending Cloten Two Gentlemen Two Captains Two Jailers In Rome Philario – Posthumus's host in Rome Iachimo/Giacomo – a Roman lord and friend of Philario French Gentleman Dutch Gentleman Spanish Gentleman Caius Lucius – Roman ambassador and later general Two Roman senators Roman tribunes Roman captain Philharmonus – soothsayer Apparitions Jupiter – King of the gods in Roman mythology Sicilius Leonatus – Posthumus's father Posthumus's mother Posthumus's two brothers Summary Cymbeline, the Roman Empire's vassal king of Britain, once had two sons, Guiderius and Arvirargus, but they were stolen 20 years earlier as infants by an exiled traitor named Belarius. Cymbeline discovers that his only child left, his daughter Imogen (or Innogen), has secretly married her lover Posthumus Leonatus, a member of Cymbeline's court. The lovers have exchanged jewellery as tokens: Imogen with a bracelet, and Posthumus with a ring. Cymbeline dismisses the marriage and banishes Posthumus since Imogen — as Cymbeline's only child — must produce a fully royal-blooded heir to succeed to