Original: Away! I do condemn mine ears that have
Modern: Get away! I hate my ears for having

Original: So long attended thee. If thou wert honourable,
Modern: listened to you for so long. If you were honorable,

Original: Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not
Modern: you would have told this story for good reasons, not

Original: For such an end thou seek’st; as base as strange.
Modern: for the disgusting goal you’re after; it’s as low as it is weird.

Original: Thou wrong’st a gentleman, who is as far
Modern: You’re insulting a gentleman who is as far

Original: From thy report as thou from honour, and
Modern: from your lies as you are from honor, and

Original: Solicit’st here a lady that disdains
Modern: you’re trying to seduce a lady who despises

Original: Thee and the devil alike. What ho, Pisanio!
Modern: both you and the devil equally. Hey, Pisanio!

Original: The king my father shall be made acquainted
Modern: The king my father will be told

Original: Of thy assault; if he shall think it fit,
Modern: about your attack on me; if he thinks it’s appropriate,

Original: A saucy stranger in his court to mart
Modern: for a rude foreigner in his court to bargain

Original: As in a Romish stew and to expound
Modern: like he’s in a Roman brothel and to reveal

Original: His beastly mind to us, he hath a court
Modern: his animal-like thoughts to us, then he has a court

Original: He little cares for and a daughter who
Modern: he doesn’t care much about and a daughter whom

Original: He not respects at all.
Modern: he doesn’t respect at all.

In Act I, Scene vi of Cymbeline, Iachimo arrives at Cymbeline’s court carrying a letter of introduction from Posthumus. He meets Imogen and presents himself as Posthumus’s friend, delivering news of her husband’s well-being in Rome. However, Iachimo quickly shifts to a deceptive strategy, falsely claiming that Posthumus has been unfaithful to her with Roman women and suggesting that she should take revenge by accepting Iachimo’s romantic advances. He describes in detail Posthumus’s alleged infidelities and argues that Imogen should not remain loyal to a husband who has betrayed their marriage vows.

Imogen reacts with anger and disbelief to Iachimo’s accusations against Posthumus, firmly rejecting both his claims and his advances. Recognizing that his first approach has failed, Iachimo quickly changes tactics and apologizes, claiming he was merely testing her loyalty to Posthumus. He then requests that Imogen safeguard a trunk containing valuable gifts intended for the Roman Emperor, explaining that her chamber would be the most secure location in the palace. Convinced by his explanation and reassured by his apparent remorse, Imogen agrees to keep the trunk in her bedchamber overnight. Iachimo expresses gratitude for her kindness, while secretly planning to use this opportunity to gather evidence that will help him win his wager with Posthumus.

Cymbeline tells the story of King Cymbeline of Britain, whose daughter Imogen secretly marries Posthumus Leonatus against her father’s wishes. Cymbeline banishes Posthumus to Rome, where he boasts of Imogen’s virtue and fidelity. The cunning Iachimo wagers that he can seduce Imogen and prove her unfaithful. When his direct attempts fail, Iachimo hides in a trunk in Imogen’s bedchamber, emerges while she sleeps, and steals her bracelet while noting intimate details of her body and room.

Returning to Rome with his false evidence, Iachimo convinces Posthumus that Imogen has been unfaithful. Enraged, Posthumus orders his servant Pisanio to kill Imogen. Instead, Pisanio reveals the plot to Imogen and helps her escape by disguising her as a young man named Fidele. She flees to the Welsh mountains, where she unknowingly encounters her long-lost brothers, Guiderius and Arviragus, who were kidnapped as infants and raised by the banished lord Belarius.

Meanwhile, Cymbeline’s evil Queen (Imogen’s stepmother) plots to poison Imogen and place her own son Cloten on the throne. Cloten pursues Imogen to Wales, where Guiderius kills him in combat. The Queen’s physician Cornelius has secretly given her a sleeping potion instead of poison, but when Imogen takes it believing it to be medicine, she falls into a death-like sleep beside Cloten’s headless corpse, whom she mistakes for Posthumus upon awakening.

The play culminates when Roman forces invade Britain. During the battle, the disguised Imogen serves the Romans while her unknown brothers and Belarius fight for Britain. After Britain’s victory, all deceptions are revealed: Iachimo confesses his lies, the Queen dies after admitting her evil plots, Imogen’s true identity and virtue are established, the royal brothers are restored to their father, and Posthumus and Imogen are reunited. Cymbeline makes peace with Rome and pardons all offenders.