Cymbeline · Character

Iachimo

A Roman wit with a gambler's nerve, he wagers a diamond that no woman's honor can survive his cunning.

supporting

Also known as Signior Iachimo

First appearance: Scene IV

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Iachimo arrives in Britain as a charming guest, all compliments and easy laughter, but his real business is a wager with Posthumus over Imogen's chastity. He is a performer who enjoys the game as much as the prize, and his smooth talk hides a willingness to lie, spy, and cheat to win. His scheming sets the play's central crisis in motion, turning a private boast into a public catastrophe that no apology can easily undo.

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See Iachimo in Scene IV

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Iachimo sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Main characters and family
Historical and divine figures

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Posthumus reaches his emotional and psychological peak here by moving from vengeful rage to profound guilt and…

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Relationships

Imogen
rivalry · negative
Belarius
rivalry · negative
Posthumus Leonatus
rivalry · negative
Philario
friendship · ambivalent
Imogen
rivalry · negative
Posthumus Leonatus
rivalry · negative
Philario
friendship · ambivalent
Imogen
rivalry · negative
Belarius
rivalry · negative
Posthumus Leonatus
rivalry · negative

Imogen
Iachimo manipulates and deceives Imogen to win a bet against Posthumus, invading her privacy and slandering her virtue.
Belarius
Belarius opposes Iachimo's schemes indirectly, as Iachimo's deceit threatens the royal family Belarius secretly protects.
Posthumus Leonatus
Iachimo wagers with Posthumus over Imogen's fidelity, then lies to win, creating bitter enmity between them.
Philario
Iachimo and Philario are acquaintances in Rome, with Philario hosting the wager that sets Iachimo's plot in motion.
Imogen
Iachimo manipulates and deceives Imogen to win a bet against Posthumus, invading her privacy and slandering her virtue.
Posthumus Leonatus
Iachimo wagers with Posthumus over Imogen's fidelity, then lies to win, creating bitter enmity between them.
Philario
Iachimo and Philario are acquaintances in Rome, with Philario hosting the wager that sets Iachimo's plot in motion.
Imogen
Iachimo manipulates and deceives Imogen to win a bet against Posthumus, invading her privacy and slandering her virtue.
Belarius
Belarius opposes Iachimo's schemes indirectly, as Iachimo's deceit threatens the royal family Belarius secretly protects.
Posthumus Leonatus
Iachimo wagers with Posthumus over Imogen's fidelity, then lies to win, creating bitter enmity between them.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Iachimo in Scene IV

In the story

Iachimo appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene IV
Provokes Posthumus by questioning Imogen's virtue and proposes the wager to seduce her.
Scene VI
Iachimo attempts to seduce Imogen with false tales of Posthumus's infidelity, then feigns a test of her loyalty and arranges to hide a trunk in her chamber.
Scene II
Hides in the trunk, emerges to steal Imogen's bracelet and note a mole on her breast, planning to deceive Posthumus.
Scene IV
Returns to Rome and presents fabricated evidence of Imogen's infidelity, winning the wager.
Scene V
Mentioned by Posthumus as the agent of his deception, described as a 'yellow' boar who seduced Imogen.
Scene IV
Accused by Imogen of falsely accusing Posthumus of incontinency, now seen as a villain.
Scene II
Defeated by Posthumus, he feels guilt for slandering Imogen and laments his loss of manhood.
Scene V
Confesses his wager with Posthumus, his deceit in Imogen's chamber, and the false proof he brought to Rome.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Iachimo unlock in the free preview.

See Iachimo in Scene IV