Nature
There is a significant amount of nature imagery used throughout the play, with characters frequently being compared to natural elements or animals. The clearest example of this imagery is when characters are compared to different birds. These comparisons emphasize elements of certain characters' personalities while also showcasing how all the characters are connected to one another. Furthermore, the natural imagery used throughout the play serves as a means for characters to understand and interpret events: in a Pagan culture (like the one in which the play is set), nature played a pivotal role in making sense of conflicts, relationships, and historical narratives.
Poison and Decay
Imagery of poison, illness, and decay pervades the play from its start. At the beginning of the play, the Queen orders poison from Cornelius and is tricked into believing that he truly made a poisonous concoction. As the play unfolds, Iachimo conjure imagery of death, poison, and disintegration as a means of distracting other characters from his own malicious intents. More often than not, characters compare others to "poison" as a way of both insulting them and expressing suspicion over their motives.
Light and Brightness
Throughout the play, Imogen is described in terms of light and illumination – descriptions that are no doubt linked to her purity and virginity, but are also reflections of her kindness and virtuousness. Britain itself is also frequently referred to as the "brightest" place on earth, suggesting its strength and prosperity. Finally, the oracle at the end of the play compares Britain to the sun that will cast the eagle in its shadow, suggesting that Britain will soon become even more powerful than Rome.
Music
Music appears in a unique way in Cymbeline, as it is set apart as particular stage directions rather than included in the script itself. At the end of the play, for example, Posthumus's family appears as music plays, and the stage direction emphasizes the importance of music in the scene. The use of music in the play is reminiscent of Ancient Greek drama, in which music would play during transitions between scenes.
