Cymbeline

Study Guide by Course Hero

What's Inside d In Context

j Book Basics ................................................................................................. 1

The Historical King Cymbeline
d In Context ..................................................................................................... 1
It is likely that Shakespeare first encountered the figure of King
a Author Biography ..................................................................................... 3 Cymbeline in English chronicler Raphael Holinshed's
Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande (second edition
h Characters .................................................................................................. 3
1587). This somewhat loose historical text is a main source for
k Plot Summary ............................................................................................. 8 history plays and one commonly referenced in tragedies.
According to legend, Cymbeline was taken prisoner by the
c Scene Summaries .................................................................................. 15 Romans at a young age but later returned to Britain as a
powerful leader. Shakespeare borrows descriptions of the
g Quotes ........................................................................................................ 28
political situation from Holinshed, as well as many of the play's

l Symbols ...................................................................................................... 31 characters' names.

m Themes ....................................................................................................... 31 Scholars believe the historical Cymbeline was king of the
southern part of Britain at a time when the Roman Empire (27
m Motifs .......................................................................................................... 32 BCE–1453 CE) was a dominant military force in Europe. The
Roman Empire encompassed territory in Europe, Africa, and
e Suggested Reading .............................................................................. 33 Asia. Roman general Julius Caesar's 55 BCE invasion of Britain
brought the nation within the Roman Empire's borders, but it
still did not share monetary and trade relationships with Rome,
and Britain remained largely independent. In Shakespeare's
j Book Basics play, tension with Rome occurs because the king stops paying
tribute, or taxes, to Rome. When the tribute payment is
AUTHOR restored at the end of the play, peace returns to the
William Shakespeare relationship.

YEARS WRITTEN
1608–10
Late Romance
GENRE
Comedy, Drama Shakespeare's career as a playwright produced tragedies,
such as King Lear; comedies, such as Comedy of Errors; and
ABOUT THE TITLE histories, such as Henry V. Toward the end of his career, he
The title character King Cymbeline of Britain is one of the main began writing what are now often called his late romances:
characters in the play, and much of the conflict of the play Pericles, Cymbeline, The Winter's Tale, The Tempest, and
Cymbeline springs from relationships within the king's family. sometimes the play he cowrote, The Two Noble Kinsmen.
Cymbeline Study Guide In Context 2

These plays have elements of both tragedy and comedy, Othello (1603–04) and The Winter's Tale (1609–11).
though they generally end with reunions rather than a high
body count. In fact, their plots tend to have many of the seeds The structure is much like Othello, which focuses on a villain's

of a tragedy that just happen to work out to a happy ending (Iago) strategic plot to cause a true lover (Othello) to believe

rather than a tragic one. They often center on themes of his lady (Desdemona) is untrue when she is perfectly virtuous.

redemption, forgiveness, and reunion. Iago uses various staged "proofs" to drive Othello into a
jealous, murderous rage. In Cymbeline, Iachimo uses similar
proofs to deceive Posthumus into believing Imogen is

Other Sources unfaithful. Posthumus goes into a rage and directs his servant
to murder Imogen.

Shakespeare regularly borrows plot elements from a variety of The most noticeable parallel with The Winter's Tale is the plot
other sources, and this play is no exception. There are traces line involving Cymbeline's two sons. In Cymbeline, Guiderius
of Fasti (8 CE) by Roman poet Ovid, which includes the story and Arviragus, Imogen's brothers, are kidnapped as very young
of the Roman king Tarquin's (534–509 BCE) rape of the children. They are raised as peasants—Polydor and
Roman woman Lucrece. Ovid's Metamorphoses (8 CE), which Cadwall—far from court, in a rural area. They have no
includes the story of Thracian king Tereus's rape of Athenian recollection of their princely rank or life at court. The play
princess Philomel, is also a source. Both are mentioned in the takes place when they are in their early 20s. Then, through a
text of Cymbeline. Iachimo mentions the rape of Lucrece when series of coincidences, they are reunited with their father.
he sneaks out after hiding in a trunk in Imogen's bedchamber
and observes her sleeping. He notices Imogen has been Similarly, in The Winter's Tale Queen Hermione's infant is taken
reading about Philomel near the end of the scene. Iachimo from her and raised in the forest as a shepherdess. The young
does not rape Imogen, but the references are intended to princess, Perdita, has no knowledge of her true identity. Then,
evoke a sense of violation and suspense. through an unlikely sequence of events, she is reunited with
her mother and father. The Winter's Tale also includes the plot
The Decameron (1353) by Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio is device of a jealous husband (Leontes, king of Sicilia) believing
another likely source for some of the plot of Cymbeline. In one his wife (Hermione) is unfaithful. He takes action against her,
story in the Decameron, a similar bet is wagered to the one even though she is innocent. Like Imogen (and like Hero in
between Iachimo and Posthumus. To win the wager, Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado about Nothing, 1598–99),
Boccaccio's character sneaks into the lady's bedchamber and Hermione hides from her unjust accuser by faking her death.
takes note of its furnishings. He also steals some items to She is revealed to be alive once the danger has passed.
prove he was with her. This compares to Iachimo's behavior
after he is unable to seduce Imogen. Shakespeare may have
also consulted The Rare Triumphs of Love and Fortune (1582)
by an anonymous author for parts of the Posthumus and
Early Performances and
Imogen plot line.
Critical Reception
Early performances of Cymbeline would have likely been at
Similarities to The Winter's Tale both Blackfriars and Globe theatres by The King's Men. The
play is not noted in reviews of the time to the extent that other
and Othello plays, such as Macbeth (1606–07) and The Winter's Tale, are
mentioned. English king Charles I is recorded as having "well
Many readers have noted Cymbeline seems to be something of liked" the play in 1634, but this is not quite a rave review.
a mash-up of Shakespeare's other plays. It contains several
plot devices that appear elsewhere in Shakespeare, such as a Over time the play has enjoyed steady but infrequent staging in
cross-dressing woman, lost children, parted lovers, and a performances of Shakespeare. This may stem from the fact
sleeping potion that mimics death. But in particular, its many there are a number of potential "main character" roles,
plots include elements that bear striking resemblances to depending on which subplot is emphasized and the cultural

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Author Biography 3

trends of the time. In addition, the play is complex to stage Although many of Shakespeare's plays were written for
because of its many plot lines and challengingly long final performance at the Globe, The King's Men also performed at
scene. the nearby Blackfriars Theatre, a smaller indoor space, after
1608. Cymbeline was written toward the end of Shakespeare's
very prolific career.

a Author Biography
Retirement and Legacy
Childhood and Family Life In 1610 or 1611 Shakespeare retired, moving back to Stratford-
upon-Avon. Despite his retirement from London life, the
The childhood of William Shakespeare is a murky area for playwright continued to do some writing, contributing to Henry
scholars since few records of his early activities exist. Very VIII and Two Noble Kinsmen as well as to another play,
little is known about his birth, education, or upbringing. Cardenio, now lost. Scholars believe these final works to be
However, according to church records, he was baptized on collaborations with John Fletcher (1579–1625), another
April 26, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, which leads playwright.
scholars to the conclusion that he was born on April 23 of that
year. Birth records were not usually kept in Shakespeare's Shakespeare most likely died on April 23, 1616, leading to the
time, although church records—baptisms, weddings, romantic notion he was born and died on the same date,
burials—were kept fastidiously by clergy. although there are no records of the exact date of either event.
He was 52 at his death and was buried on April 25 at Holy
Shakespeare's family was solidly middle class, and he would Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. Over 400 years after
have had a typical education for an English boy of his time at a his death, Shakespeare is still regarded as the greatest
public school endowed by Elizabeth I, which would have playwright of the English-speaking world.
included studying the Latin language and Roman and Greek
classical literature. At age 18 Shakespeare married Anne
Hathaway, a woman eight years his elder who was already
pregnant with their daughter Susanna. Anne gave birth to
h Characters
twins—Judith and Hamnet—a few years later. Church records
reveal Hamnet died in childhood.
Imogen
Theatrical Life Imogen, the beautiful and slandered princess, is often seen as
a paragon of feminine virtue. She is perfectly loyal to her
Shakespeare moved to London to pursue a career as an actor husband, even asking Pisanio to kill her when her husband
and playwright, and over time he achieved success. He instructs him to even though she is completely innocent. She
became a shareholder in the open-air Globe Theatre in London refuses Iachimo's advances but treats him with friendliness
and had widespread fame as a playwright whose works because Posthumus asked her to. In the end, although
included romantic and classically inspired comedies, histories, Posthumus has shown a disturbing willingness to believe
and tragedies. He is credited with writing at least 37 plays and Iachimo's version of events without even asking for her side of
over 150 sonnets. the story, she forgives without hesitation. These
characteristics may cause Imogen's strength, independence,
Throughout his career Shakespeare and his fellow actors were and resilience to go unnoticed. She begins the play having just
supported by the patronage of the nation's monarchs—first by disobeyed her father's wishes, marrying Posthumus for love
Queen Elizabeth I (1533–1603), under whose reign rather than Cloten out of duty. When she must flee in disguise,
Shakespeare's company was known as The Lord she easily takes on more "masculine" characteristics, not just
Chamberlain's Men. When King James I (1566–1625) assumed wearing a man's clothing but fearlessly facing being alone in
the throne in 1603, the company was renamed The King's Men.

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Characters 4

the wilderness. She fends for herself in the mountains of nation in the Roman Empire, he is subject to Rome's demands
Wales, entering the home of Belarius to secure food without of tribute. And as a king without sons (his two sons were
obtaining permission. She interacts with Belarius and his "sons" kidnapped as children), the royal line is also in danger. These
without missing a beat. Despite her return to a more traditional insecurities fuel his decision to have Imogen marry Cloten, who
woman's role at the end of the play, she shows the grit and ranks higher than Posthumus, and his decision to stop paying
determination characteristic of a Shakespearean heroine. Rome's tribute. However, for all these poor decisions, fate
appears to favor and forgive Cymbeline. His sons are returned,
his evil wife dies, Cloten is killed, and payments to Rome are
Posthumus reinstated, essentially resetting Cymbeline's life as if his poor
choices had never occurred.
Orphaned as child, Posthumus was taken in by Cymbeline and
raised at court. Growing up alongside Imogen, he fell in love
with her. However, when the widowed king remarried, his new Cloten
queen insisted that her son, Cloten, should marry Imogen, and
Cymbeline agreed. This led Imogen and Posthumus to marry in Cloten, son of the new queen, begins the play as a pathetic
secret, which in turn led Cymbeline to banish Posthumus. As fool, constantly bragging about his fighting skills and just as
the play begins, Posthumus is preparing to leave for Rome, consistently losing at gambling. He is often accompanied by
where he will live in exile. After saying his farewells to Imogen, two lords who take turns flattering and ridiculing him. Under
he goes to Rome and lives at the house of Philario, where he pressure from his new queen, Cymbeline had promised Cloten
meets Iachimo. Iachimo's crude wager, and the deception would marry Imogen, but Imogen secretly married Posthumus
employed to "win" the wager, cause an enraged Posthumus to instead. As a result Cloten tries to instigate a fight with
issue instructions to kill Imogen. However, after he believes this Posthumus. Posthumus refuses to engage in a fight with
bloody deed is done he regrets his hasty action and repents. Cloten—a fact that Cloten complains about bitterly. However
He seeks death in battle as punishment for his sin. However, poor Cloten's chances are at winning Imogen's favor,
fate or the gods intervene, and Posthumus is ultimately Cymbeline and the queen encourage him to keep trying once
reunited with Imogen, who easily forgives him. Posthumus is Posthumus is banished. But Cloten's crude attempts at wooing
often compared to Othello because he is convinced of his get him nothing but disdain from Imogen. Enraged at what he
wife's adultery by false proofs that have been cleverly sees as extreme disrespect, he decides to pursue Imogen
orchestrated by a villain and quickly flies into a murderous when she leaves the palace, rape her, and kill Posthumus.
rage. However, in this play the jealous husband is spared Although he does arrive at the home of Belarius while she is
Othello's fate. Posthumus does not succeed in killing his wife. hiding there, he quickly gets in a fight. Not having the skill to
He lives to be forgiven and to live in peace with his love. back up his boasting, he is soon beheaded.

Cymbeline Iachimo
Cymbeline is the title character of the play, though not its most Iachimo makes a bet with Posthumus, who has boasted that
present. His susceptibility to his queen's bad advice is a Imogen is the most beautiful and virtuous woman in the world.
prominent feature of the play's plot. Not unlike Macbeth, Iachimo will win the bet if he can seduce Imogen. When
Cymbeline has a wife with more resolve and greater ambitions Iachimo tries to seduce Imogen, however, she turns him down.
than his own. The queen pressures him to have Cloten marry Not one to lose a bet so easily, Iachimo hides in a trunk that is
Imogen, which causes her marriage to Posthumus and his stored in Imogen's room. While she is asleep he sneaks out,
subsequent banishment. She pressures Cymbeline to observes the room and her sleeping body, and steals a
discontinue payments of tribute to Rome, causing a war bracelet. The bracelet and his intimate knowledge of her body
between Rome and Britain for which Cymbeline is unprepared. and bedchamber convince Posthumus that Iachimo's seduction
Yet his susceptibility to these pressures shows his deep was successful. This sends Posthumus into a murderous rage
insecurity about his position and power. As an independent that nearly costs Imogen her life. Iachimo begins the play as a

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Characters 5

villain more like Othello's Iago—looking to cause mischief for no

other reason than his own pleasure and willing to ruin the life of
a virtuous woman and her true love in the process. Like Iago,
Iachimo trumps up evidence against a woman that convinces
her husband she has been unfaithful. But once the damage is
done, Iachimo's character arc diverges from Iago's. While Iago
was unrepentant until the last line of Othello, Iachimo regrets
his harmful actions and, in the end, is forgiven.

Pisanio
Pisanio, Posthumus's servant, stays with Imogen when
Cymbeline banishes Posthumus for marrying his daughter.
When Posthumus believes Imogen has been unfaithful, he
sends a letter to Pisanio, instructing him to kill Imogen. Pisanio,
not believing Imogen is guilty, instead helps her escape,
sending a bloody cloth to Posthumus as "proof" of Imogen's
death. Throughout the play Pisanio steadfastly stands by
Imogen and protects her secret, even when Cloten and
Cymbeline both demand he give up any knowledge of her.
Pisanio is both strategic and loyal, and his sense of what
loyalty is proves to be nuanced. He does not simply obey
Posthumus, although he is Posthumus's servant. Rather, he
remains loyal to Posthumus by protecting Imogen and by
extension by protecting Posthumus from making a terrible
mistake. In the end his approach of using deception to achieve
a good outcome proves to be the right course.

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Characters 6

Character Map

Imogen
Virtuous, slandered princess

Protects Pursues

Pisanio Cloten
Loyal, strategic servant Foolish, violent braggart
Loves

Deceives

Tries to kill

Posthumus
Emotional, impulsive lover

The Queen Banishes Cymbeline

Deceptive, ambitious woman Widowed, insecure king

Forgives
Deceives Forgives

Kidnaps
sons

Iachimo Belarius
Tricky, immoral villain Unjustly banished nobleman

Main Character

Other Major Character

Minor Character

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Characters 7

Full Character List First gentleman

A conversation between two
gentlemen begins the play. The first
gentleman speaks first.
Character Description
The first of Cloten's companion lords
First lord
flatters and assists him.
Cymbeline's daughter, Imogen, is in
Imogen
love with Posthumus.
A Frenchman is one of Pisanio's
Frenchman
acquaintances.
Posthumus Leonatus is the adopted
Posthumus son of Cymbeline who is later exiled
by Cymbeline for marrying Imogen. The ghost of Sicilius Leonatus,
Posthumus's father, appears in
Ghost of Sicilius
Posthumus's visionary dream to
Cymbeline Cymbeline is the king of Britain. Leonatus
support his son and ask Jupiter to
take pity on Posthumus.
Cloten is the foolish, bragging son of
Cloten
Cymbeline's new queen.
The ghost of Posthumus's mother
Ghost of
appears in Posthumus's visionary
Posthumus's
Iachimo is a man living in Rome who dream to support her son and ask
mother
Iachimo makes a bet with Posthumus that he Jupiter to take pity on Posthumus.
can seduce Imogen.
The ghost of Posthumus's first
Pisanio is Posthumus's servant, Ghost of brother appears in Posthumus's
Pisanio whom Posthumus orders to kill Posthumus's visionary dream to support his
Imogen for her alleged infidelity. first brother brother and ask Jupiter to take pity
on Posthumus.

Arviragus is a son of Cymbeline who

Arviragus lives with Belarius under the name of The ghost of Posthumus's second
Cadwal. Ghost of brother appears in Posthumus's
Posthumus's visionary dream to support his
second brother brother and ask Jupiter to take pity
Belarius is an English nobleman who on Posthumus.
has been exiled and is living in the
Belarius mountains of Cambria under the
name of Morgan. He kidnapped Guiderius is a son of Cymbeline who
Cymbeline's two sons out of revenge. Guiderius lives with Belarius under the name of
Polydor.

Arviragus is a son of Cymbeline who

Cadwal lives with Belarius under the name of Imogen's lady attends Princess
Imogen's lady
Cadwal. Imogen.

Cornelius is a court physician who Two English jailers guard the Roman
Jailers
Cornelius supplies the queen with a sleeping prisoners.
potion.
The Roman god Jupiter appears in
Jupiter
The Dutchman is among those at the Posthumus's visionary dream.
Dutchman
house of Philario.
Caius Lucius first appears as an
The first captain is one of two Briton ambassador from Rome and later as
First Briton Caius Lucius
captains who capture Posthumus the general in charge of the Romans
captain as they invade Britain.
and bring him to Cymbeline.

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Plot Summary 8

Two messengers appear in the play. Roman tribunes and senators

One brings news of Caius Lucius's discuss the army of "gentry" the
Roman tribunes
arrival to Cymbeline and another Roman emperor is sending to fight
Messengers
carries a message to a jailer ordering against Britain.
him to bring Posthumus before the
king.

Musicians
Cloten hires musicians to serenade
Imogen.
k Plot Summary
Philario is a man whom Posthumus
Philario
lives with when he is in exile in Rome. Act 1
Guiderius is a son of Cymbeline who Long before the play opens, King Cymbeline's two sons were
Polydor lives with Belarius under the name of
Polydor. kidnapped, leaving him with only one child—his daughter,
Imogen. He also raised an orphan boy, Posthumus Leonatus,
and became a widow. Imogen and Posthumus grew up and fell
Cymbeline's new queen plans to kill
The Queen her new husband and is devoted to in love, and Cymbeline remarried. But his new queen had a son,
her son, Cloten. the boastful and foolish Cloten, and she wants Imogen to
become her son's wife. Imogen refuses and marries
The queen's lady A lady attends the queen. Posthumus, whom Cymbeline promptly banishes. The play
begins as Posthumus is making plans to go live in exile in
Roman captains accompany Caius Rome.
Roman captains
Lucius in battle.
After exchanging items of jewelry as love tokens, Imogen and
Roman senators and tribunes Posthumus part and Posthumus leaves for Rome. He arrives
discuss the army of "gentry" the and takes up residence at the home of Philario. There he
Roman senators
Roman emperor is sending to fight
meets a man named Iachimo, who ridicules Posthumus for his
against Britain.
boast of Imogen's faithfulness. Iachimo bets Posthumus he can
seduce Imogen, and Posthumus, angered by Iachimo's
The second captain is one of two
Second Briton Briton captains who capture disrespect, agrees to the bet.
captain Posthumus and bring him to
Cymbeline. Back in Britain, the queen obtains a box from her doctor,
Cornelius, that she believes contains poisonous compounds.
A conversation between two But Cornelius, not trusting her, has substituted a substance
Second gentlemen begins the play. The that will cause a sleep that simulates death. The queen allows
gentleman second gentleman responds to the
first gentleman's opening lines. Pisanio to take the box.

When Iachimo arrives at Cymbeline's palace to pursue Imogen,

The second of Cloten's companion
Second lord he first tries to persuade her to have sex with him by saying
lords ridicules him.
Posthumus has taken a lover. Imogen knows Iachimo just
wants to get in her bed, so she threatens to call her father. At
A soothsayer named Philarmonus
interprets signs from the gods, this Iachimo says he was just testing her fidelity to Posthumus.
Soothsayer including a vision of an eagle and the She becomes friendly and agrees to store Iachimo's trunk in
message left for Posthumus by her bedroom to keep it safe.
Jupiter.

A Spaniard is among those at the

Spaniard
house of Philario.

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Plot Summary 9

Imogen, telling her Posthumus intended her to die. She is

Act 2 distraught and wants Pisanio to kill her. But he refuses, saying
instead she should go into hiding disguised as a young man.
After Imogen goes to sleep, Iachimo emerges from the trunk, Pisanio will tell Posthumus he carried out the murder, providing
where he has concealed himself. He takes note of the a bloody cloth as proof. She agrees.
appearance of the room as well as a mark on Imogen's body.
He steals the bracelet Posthumus had given Imogen as a love Pisanio goes back to Cymbeline's palace, where he is
token. Then he hides again in the trunk until morning. confronted by Cloten, who intends to go after Imogen and
Posthumus. Cloten plans to dress in Posthumus's clothes, kill
Cloten, meanwhile, has been drinking with two of his lords. He's Posthumus, then rape Imogen. Pisanio gives him the clothes,
been boasting to them about how awesome he is and and Cloten leaves.
gambling. He arrives near Imogen's bedroom in the morning,
accompanied by musicians he has hired to serenade Imogen. Meanwhile, Imogen manages to end up at the home of
When she comes out of her chamber, however, she rebuffs Belarius. She introduces herself as the young man Fidele. The
and insults him. He becomes angry and vows revenge for her two young men feel a strange, brotherly affection for Fidele.
disrespect.

Iachimo has returned to Rome carrying with him his proofs of

Imogen's infidelity to Posthumus—the bracelet and his intimate
Act 4
knowledge of her body and bedchamber. Posthumus is
At the home of Belarius, Imogen is feeling ill, so she takes
enraged at Imogen's apparent infidelity.
some medicine Pisanio left with her (but which is really the
sleeping potion Cornelius gave the queen). She falls into a
deep sleep. Meanwhile, Cloten, dressed in Posthumus's
Act 3 clothing, also manages to come upon Belarius's home. Cloten
is insulting to Guiderius, and the two fight; Guiderius cuts off
Meanwhile, Britain has stopped paying tribute to Rome, and a Cloten's head.
messenger from Rome, Caius Lucius, is sent to tell Cymbeline
to resume the payments. If Cymbeline does not obey, war Arviragus, son of Cymbeline who lives with Belarius, discovers
between Rome and Britain is unavoidable. Imogen asleep and thinks she is dead. Arviragus, Guiderius,
and Belarius decide to bury the two dead bodies later in the
Posthumus, enraged by his belief that Imogen slept with evening and leave them next to each other in the meantime.
Iachimo, has sent two letters to Pisanio. One letter instructs The men leave, and Imogen wakes. Seeing the headless body
Pisanio to kill Imogen for her adultery. The other is a letter to wearing her husband's clothing, she believes Posthumus dead.
give to Imogen saying Posthumus has come secretly to Britain. She faints.
This second letter is meant to give Pisanio a way to get Imogen
out of the palace so he can kill her. Pisanio does not believe War between Britain and Rome has begun, and Caius Lucius,
Imogen committed adultery, but he gives Imogen her letter. who is to lead an army of gentlemen against Britain, happens
They make plans to leave the palace and secretly meet up with to be passing by the cave of Belarius. He finds Imogen, who
Posthumus. (still as Fidele) pledges to serve and follow him.

In the mountains of Cambria (Wales), a man named Morgan Cymbeline is increasingly stressed by the threat of war, and
and two young men known as Polydor and Cadwal live a rural now there are several missing persons in his household. The
life, far from Cymbeline's court. The two young men leave to go queen is also ill. Some of the fighting is near the home of
hunting, and Morgan reveals he is really Belarius, and the two Belarius. Arviragus, Guiderius, and Belarius join in the fight on
young men are not his sons but the king's lost sons. Belarius the British side.
kidnapped the boys when they were young as revenge for
being unjustly banished, and he has raised them as his own.

On the way to meet Posthumus, Pisanio reveals the truth to

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Plot Summary 10

Act 5
Posthumus has joined the Roman army, in which Iachimo is
also serving. Posthumus feels remorse for his deadly actions
against Imogen and ironically wishes Pisanio had disobeyed his
orders and saved Imogen's life. Full of remorse, he dresses as
a Briton peasant and joins the fight against Rome, hoping to
die in battle. Disguised in this way, he meets Iachimo on the
battlefield and vanquishes him. With the help of Posthumus,
Arviragus, Guiderius, and Belarius, the Britons come out on top
in the battle.

But Posthumus decides he will dress in his Roman garb again

and be taken prisoner by the Britons. In prison he prays for
death. That night he has a visionary dream in which the god
Jupiter and deceased members of his family appear to him.

Cymbeline, in his tent on the battlefield, makes Belarius,

Guiderius, and Arviragus knights for their help. Word comes to
him that the queen confessed on her deathbed she planned to
kill the king and Imogen so that Cloten could become king.

The Roman prisoners are brought in, including Caius Lucius,

Iachimo, Fidele, and Posthumus. Cymbeline thinks Fidele looks
familiar, but she lies and says her name is Fidele. Belarius,
Guiderius, and Arviragus are shocked, having believed Fidele to
be dead. Pisanio realizes Fidele is Imogen. Iachimo now reveals
his deception against Imogen and Posthumus, and Posthumus,
shocked and angry, reveals his presence. Pisanio reveals
Fidele's true identity and what happened to Cloten. Then
Belarius reveals how he kidnapped the two princes. Everyone
is surprised, and Cymbeline is so pleased to have his sons
back he forgives Belarius. A celebration follows all these happy
revelations.

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Plot Summary 11

Plot Diagram

Climax

11

10
12
9
Falling Action

Rising Action 8
13
7

6 14
5
15
4
Resolution
3

2
1

Introduction

7. Iachimo bets Posthumus that Iachimo can seduce Imogen.

Introduction
8. Iachimo sneaks into Imogen's room and steals a bracelet.

1. Long ago, King Cymbeline's two young sons were 9. Iachimo uses the bracelet as proof he seduced Imogen.
kidnapped.
10. Posthumus sends his servant Pisanio to kill Imogen.

Rising Action
Climax
2. Widowed Cymbeline remarries; the new queen's son is
Cloten. 11. Pisanio warns Imogen, and she flees, disguised as a man.

3. Cymbeline agrees to have his daughter Imogen marry

Cloten.
Falling Action
4. Imogen marries Posthumus.

12. Cloten, wearing Posthumus's clothing, is beheaded.

5. Angered, Cymbeline banishes Posthumus.

13. Imogen finds the headless body and thinks it is Posthumus.

6. Iachimo hears Posthumus boast that Imogen is faithful.

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Plot Summary 12

14. Imogen, Posthumus, and the lost sons come before

Cymbeline.

Resolution

15. Secrets are revealed, and Imogen and Posthumus are

reunited.

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Plot Summary 13

Timeline of Events

One day

Imogen and Posthumus say their good-byes.

Later that day

Pisanio reports that Posthumus has left for Rome.

Short time later

Posthumus arrives in Rome and makes a bet with

Iachimo.

Short time later

Iachimo attempts to seduce Imogen.

That night

Iachimo sneaks out of the trunk and observes Imogen

sleeping.

Next morning

Cloten serenades Imogen.

Some time later

Iachimo gives Posthumus "proof" of Imogen's adultery.

Soon after

Imogen goes into hiding as the young man Fidele.

Short time later

Fidele comes to the cave of Belarius.

Soon after

Cloten also comes to the cave of Belarius and is killed.

Some time later

Belarius and his "sons" join battle against the Romans.

During the battle

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Plot Summary 14

Posthumus, in disguise, defeats Iachimo in battle.

After the battle

All living main characters appear before Cymbeline.

Same time

Disguises are revealed, and confessions are made. All

ends happily.

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 15

c Scene Summaries Analysis

Through a conversation between the first gentleman and
second gentleman, the audience is brought up to date on the
Act 1, Scene 1 extensive backstory to this play, which has enough plot to
nearly be a play of its own. Through this extensive exposition,
the audience is introduced to the conflict that drives much of
Summary the play: Cymbeline's desire for his daughter Imogen to marry
his stepson Cloten and her defiant marriage to Posthumus,
A brief dialogue between two gentlemen introduces events whom the gentlemen describe as a "poor but worthy
that occur before the opening action in the play. It is revealed gentleman." In response to his daughter's disobedience,
that King Cymbeline of Britain became the protector of the Cymbeline has imprisoned his daughter and banished
orphaned son of Sicilius Leonatus, a man known for his bravery Posthumus.
as a soldier. Cymbeline raised the child as his own, naming him
Posthumus, it turns out, has quite a dramatic backstory himself.
Posthumus Leonatus, since he was born after his father died.
He was orphaned and taken in by King Cymbeline, who
Cymbeline also had two sons, named Guiderius and Arviragus,
arranged for the young Posthumus to be brought up at court
and a daughter named Imogen. His two sons were kidnapped
and to receive "all the learnings that his time / Could make him
when they were just a few years old and have never been
the receiver of." Given the king's personal interest and
found. When Imogen and Posthumus were grown, they fell in
generosity toward Posthumus, it might not be so startling that
love. Cymbeline's wife died, and he married a new queen, who
he becomes angry when the young man secretly marries his
had a son named Cloten. Cymbeline wanted his daughter
only daughter.
Imogen to marry Cloten, but she refused, marrying Posthumus
instead. This caused Cymbeline to banish Posthumus from Again, that might seem like enough plot to generate a play or
Britain. two—just in the first 60 lines. But Shakespeare shows little
restraint in crafting the plot of this play. As such, there is
As current time in the play begins, the banished Posthumus is
another wrinkle in the fabric of the play: Imogen is the king's
preparing to go to Rome. At Cymbeline's palace, the two
only daughter, but there were also two young princes who
gentlemen discuss this situation. The queen enters,
were kidnapped when they were very young (one three years
accompanied by Imogen and Posthumus. She acts friendly
old and one an infant). As the play progresses, Shakespeare
toward the two lovers, but Imogen doesn't trust the queen and
weaves all three of these plot lines together using a number of
shares her suspicions with Posthumus. The queen warns them
narrative devices, including a series of unlikely coincidences,
Cymbeline will not like it if he discovers them together, but then
three villains, and a war between Rome and Britain, which was
she leaves and tells the king exactly where they are. Imogen
then part of the Roman Empire.
and Posthumus exchange love tokens: she gives him a
diamond ring and he gives her a bracelet. Posthumus plans to Many readers have noticed this Shakespearean play has a cast
stay with a man named Philario in Rome—someone who had of characters that resemble those of a fairy tale. For example,
known Posthumus's father, Sicilius Leonatus. Cymbeline enters Shakespeare has already provided the play with a widowed
and furiously breaks up the lovers' good-byes. Posthumus king, an evil queen/wicked stepmother, and a virtuous princess.
leaves, but Pisanio, Posthumus's servant, enters and tells This fairy tale quality, as well as the play's sprawling plot, add
Imogen that Posthumus left him behind to serve her. He to the play's charm and give the audience some assurance that
reveals Cloten had attacked Posthumus, but Posthumus its protagonists will live "happily ever after." But before that
refused to fight seriously with him. happy ending, there will be complications.

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 16

had there been time and asks Pisanio to perform some task for
Act 1, Scene 2 her, though the nature of the task is not revealed.

Summary Analysis
Near Cymbeline's palace, Cloten enters with two lords. Cloten This scene, in which Posthumus's servant Pisanio must relay
boasts about his altercation with Posthumus, complaining that the details of Posthumus's departure from Britain, is made
Posthumus refused to put up a good fight. The first lord is more poignant by emphasizing that Posthumus and Imogen
congratulatory, but the second lord ridicules Cloten in a series were not able to say satisfactory final farewells. Not only was
of under-the-breath comments. Imogen and Posthumus's farewell ruined by the arrival of
Cymbeline—a fact Imogen laments here—but also she herself
was not at his final moment of departure.
Analysis
In addition, Pisanio's description of Posthumus kissing his
In the previous scene, the queen's son Cloten was discussed handkerchief is touching—perhaps even a bit sentimental.
but not introduced. For example, Imogen called Cloten a Although the love tokens exchanged by Posthumus and
"puttock"—a bird similar to a buzzard—while she called Imogen—the ring and the bracelet—are the main symbols of
Posthumus an "eagle." And the first gentleman had called their relationship, the handkerchief could be seen as
Cloten "a thing / Too bad for bad report." representing their relationship as well. Readers familiar with
Othello will note the parallels suggested by the handkerchief.
In this scene we finally meet Cloten, who turns out to be more In Othello a handkerchief comes to represent, for Othello,
of a braggart than a real threat, despite his tendency to Desdemona's fidelity to him, and her loss of it represents her
violence. The scene is made up of Cloten's description of his betrayal. In this play Posthumus will, like Othello, believe in his
encounter with Posthumus and the opposite responses of his wife's infidelity even when it does not exist. And Imogen and
two courtiers. To each bragging statement or complaint Cloten Desdemona are among the most virtuous and innocent of
makes, such as his complaint that Posthumus would not Shakespeare's female characters.
"stand" and fight with him, the first lord flatters Cloten in the
most obvious and fawning terms. The second lord makes a This scene also establishes the relationship between Imogen
snarky aside ridiculing Cloten. This scene and other scenes and Pisanio—a relationship of trust and loyalty that will last
with these three characters provide most of the comedy of the throughout the play. Imogen trusts Pisanio to do something for
play. It establishes Cloten as a ridiculous fool, not unlike her—"those things I bid you do"—and he assures her he will.
Othello's Roderigo. It also creates an unflattering caricature of
the noble class as parasitic creatures who must stay attached
to Cloten because of his position, despite his obvious flaws as Act 1, Scene 4
a person.

Summary
Act 1, Scene 3
At the home of Philario in Rome, several men converse about
Posthumus. One is Iachimo, a nobleman, and another is a
Summary Frenchman who has met Posthumus before. Posthumus
enters, and the Frenchman recalls Posthumus once said
At the palace, Pisanio tells Imogen that Posthumus repeatedly Imogen was more "more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant,
declared his love for Imogen as he left on the ship for Rome. qualified ... than any the rarest of our ladies in France."
He repeatedly kissed his handkerchief and said "my queen." Posthumus reiterates this evaluation, which makes Iachimo
She imagines all the romantic things she might have said to him laugh. Iachimo's derisive attitude angers Posthumus, and the
two argue. Iachimo wagers with Posthumus that he can seduce

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 17

Imogen—betting 10,000 ducats against Posthumus's ring. king's favor. But Pisanio refuses. The queen drops the poison,
and Pisanio picks it up. He tries to give it back to her, but she
tells him to keep it, as it contains powerful medicine. In an
Analysis aside, she notes Pisanio will die if he takes the "medicine."

This scene begins with a long discussion of Posthumus and

why he has come to Rome. Although Posthumus obviously has Analysis
a very good reputation, Iachimo continually calls Posthumus's
worth into question, saying Posthumus had been "expected to Although the queen's dishonesty and wickedness was clear
prove so worthy" but Iachimo "looked on him without the help from the first scene, it becomes even clearer now. For one
of admiration." This disparaging attitude makes it easier to thing, she has asked Cornelius for "poisonous compounds, /
understand Iachimo's irritation at Posthumus's belief that Which are the movers of a languishing death, / But though
Imogen is "more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant, qualified slow, deadly." Her true reason for wanting these compounds is
... than any the rarest of our ladies in France" (and in the world, to kill Pisanio, she says in an aside. Cornelius doesn't trust her,
as the wager later expands Posthumus's sentiment). of course. He has already countered her lie with one of his
own—the poison isn't poison at all but a sleeping potion.
It is significant that the target of Iachimo's contempt and
trickery is Posthumus, not Imogen: "I make my wager rather Just so the audience understands the queen is one of the
against your confidence than her reputation." Iachimo cares villains of the play, he gives her the line "Unless thou think'st
little about what might happen to Imogen as a result of his me devilish." This bit of verbal irony—she is devilish—makes
actions. The vital thing to Iachimo is to get the better of certain the audience knows she is up to no good. Her attempt
Posthumus, whether or not Imogen's reputation may be ruined to buy Pisanio's help with promises of "any shape of thy
in the process. Iachimo's motivation here reflects a similarity preferment such / As thou 'lt desire" is evidence she doesn't
with Iago, the villain of Othello, who sets his sights on taking value virtues such as loyalty but operates in a world where
down Othello and treats the reputation and life of the innocent money and status are more important than personal integrity.
Desdemona as collateral damage. And the fact she tries to buy his loyalty at the same time she is
giving him poison she thinks will kill him is further evidence of
This wager between Iachimo and Posthumus is important to just how wicked she is.
the plot and themes of the play. The wager sets in motion the
series of events that leads to Imogen going into hiding as the
young man Fidele. It also develops the theme of trust and
betrayal, as Imogen's fidelity—her loyalty and
Act 1, Scene 6
trustworthiness—is the subject of the bet.

Summary
Act 1, Scene 5 Iachimo arrives at Cymbeline's palace, intending to win his bet
with Posthumus. He tells Imogen that Posthumus is enjoying
Rome and has even taken a prostitute as a lover. Imogen
Summary believes him, but her suspicions are aroused when he suggests
she can get back at Posthumus by sleeping with him. Imogen
At the king's palace, the queen is having her ladies gather recognizes the whole story as a trick to get her into bed, and
herbs and flowers for her. She has had Cornelius, her doctor, says she will tell Pisanio and her father what he has said.
bring her some poison, and now reassures him she only wants Iachimo backtracks, pretending he was only testing Imogen's
it to discover how it affects small animals, as a sort of scientific fidelity to Posthumus and adding a great deal of praise for both
experiment. In an aside Cornelius says he does not trust her, Posthumus and Imogen. Imogen believes him. Iachimo then
so he has substituted a sleeping potion that will temporarily says he has some valuable jewels in a trunk and needs a place
simulate death. The queen tries to convince Pisanio to help to store it. She allows him to store the trunk in her bedroom.
make Imogen fall in love with her son Cloten, promising him the

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 18

one of the lords ridicules him in a series of asides. Cloten also

Analysis remarks he wants to gamble with Iachimo. When Cloten and
the flattering first lord leave, the second lord elaborates on
Imogen opens the scene by complaining about her situation.
Cloten's foolishness—he cannot believe a woman as shrewd as
Her assertion she would be happier if she'd been kidnapped
the queen is a mother to this idiot—and Imogen's virtues.
along with her two brothers—"Had I been thief-stol'n, / As my
two brothers, happy"—is a gentle reminder to the audience of
an unsolved mystery that will (eventually) be part of the plot.
Shakespeare does not want the audience to forget about the
Analysis
two missing princes.
Cloten continues to be characterized as a moody braggart

The majority of the scene, however, is the interaction between who boasts about getting in fights only after others refuse to

Iachimo and Imogen. This interaction has several interesting fight him. In this scene his two lords fulfill their roles as flatterer

features. First, when Iachimo finally meets the woman he has and ridiculer. For example, when Cloten complains he could

pledged to ruin for the sake of a bet, he has a few second have fought with the other man if only he'd been of the same

thoughts. In an aside he praises her beauty and says if she is "rank," the second lord makes a pun on rank to insult him in an

as smart as she is beautiful, he will lose the bet. He has to aside: "To have smelled like a fool."

resolve himself to "boldness" and "audacity" in order to

continue on with the wager. Second, she reads aloud part of a
letter Posthumus has sent her introducing Iachimo and asking Act 2, Scene 2
her to treat him well. This does not reflect very well on
Posthumus. It is the first hint he is not simply defending her
honor by taking up this wager but is actually using it to test her Summary
fidelity: he is setting his wife up to be vulnerable to Iachimo's
seduction. That Posthumus uses deception against his wife is In her bedroom at night, Imogen has been reading. She speaks
important for the development of the theme of forgiveness, to one of her ladies—Helen—then falls asleep. Iachimo
because he cannot be characterized as simply a man who was emerges from his trunk, takes some notes about the
deceived by a villain. He has actively taken part in the appearance of the room, and steals the bracelet Posthumus
deception. had given her when they parted. He also notices a mole on
Imogen's breast. Iachimo expects these proofs will convince
Ultimately, it is Imogen's trust in Posthumus and her inherent Posthumus that Imogen has been unfaithful with Iachimo.
goodness that inclines her give Iachimo the benefit of the Confident of his win, he hides in the trunk again.
doubt. Her own virtues move her to accommodate Iachimo's
request to store a trunk in her bedchamber. Iachimo shows
himself to be a strategic thinker, as his first attempt at winning Analysis
the bet by seducing Imogen goes awry and he has to move to
an alternate plan. The previous scene ended as the second lord offered a prayer
to the gods for the "divine" Imogen, and this scene opens with
Imogen's own prayers. After she falls asleep, Iachimo slowly
Act 2, Scene 1 steals out of the trunk and into her bedchamber. Although
Iachimo does not rape Imogen, the symbolic violation is clear,
and the threat of rape overshadows this scene. Iachimo
Summary himself acknowledges this when he alludes to Tarquin, or
Sextus Tarquinius, a Roman prince whose rape of the
Meanwhile, Cloten has been gambling. He's lost a good deal, noblewoman Lucretia is part of Roman literature. And Imogen's
but he manages to keep bragging anyway. He describes an book is the myth of Tereus, the king of Thrace who raped his
altercation with another man and complains that no one will sister-in-law Philomela.
engage in a fight with him because he's the queen's son. Again,

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 19

But despite the sinister references, Iachimo only violates the man who thinks of women as little more than objects of male
intimate space of her bedroom. Instead, he gathers "proof" of pleasure: "If you can penetrate her with your fingering, so. We'll
her willing participation in sex. Among the proofs is the try with tongue, too." (He uses the word penetrate three times
bracelet Posthumus gave Imogen as a symbol of his love for in 20 lines.) Armed with this low view of women and a sense of
her. By stealing the bracelet, Iachimo symbolically steals his own entitlement to her, Cloten becomes irritated when
Posthumus's love for Imogen. Imogen doesn't emerge from her bedroom in response to the
music. When she does come out she begins politely, but he is
persistent, and she calls him "fool" and says, "I care not for
Act 2, Scene 3 you." His response is to tell her she should marry him, leaving
the "base wretch" Posthumus, because she owed her father
obedience. By the time Imogen tells him she respects

Summary Posthumus's lowliest garment more than she respects a hair

on Cloten's head, he is infuriated, repeating, "His garment? ...
His garment! ... His meanest garment?" At the end of the scene
In the morning, Cloten arrives near Imogen's bedroom with his
he is ready to get his revenge: "I'll be revenged! 'His mean'st
two lords. He has been gambling unsuccessfully all night and
garment'? Well." In one scene the audience has gone from
now waits for some musicians he has hired. When the
viewing Cloten as a bumbling, bragging fool to a credible
musicians arrive, Cloten makes several crude remarks before
threat.
they serenade Imogen. However, Imogen does not emerge.
Soon Cymbeline and his queen arrive, telling Cloten he should
persist in his attempts to make Imogen fall in love with him.
Act 2, Scene 4
The Roman emperor has sent a messenger, and Cymbeline
and his queen leave to meet him. Cloten stays behind, still
trying to see Imogen. When she finally emerges from her
Summary
bedroom, Cloten declares his love but she refuses him—firmly
but nicely. But when Cloten begins to insult Posthumus, At Philario's home in Rome, Posthumus and Philario are
Imogen becomes angry, expressing her dislike for Cloten in no discussing a conflict between Rome and Britain that may ignite
uncertain terms. Cloten is surprised by her insulting words and a war. Iachimo has just returned from Britain, and he enters,
vows revenge. boasting that he won the bet and Posthumus owes him the
ring. He describes Imogen's bedroom in detail, shows the
bracelet, and describes the mark he saw on Imogen's breast.
Analysis At first Posthumus doesn't believe him, but the amount of
evidence finally convinces him. He gives Iachimo the ring and
This scene develops Cloten's sense of grievance, which has so
becomes hurt and enraged by his belief that Imogen betrayed
far been with his general situation, other men's unwillingness to
his trust.
fight him, and gambling losses. It begins in a familiar way, as
the first lord flatters him in hyperbolic fashion: "Your Lordship
is the most patient man in loss ... most hot and furious when
Analysis
you win." From this beginning, the scene shows Cloten
becoming increasingly upset by the disrespect he perceives In this scene, Iachimo's cruelty is on display from the moment
Imogen shows him. This is important, because Shakespeare he enters, as he first praises Imogen's beauty, leading
needs Cloten to become a credible threat to Imogen, with Posthumus to again declare how faithful she is. Posthumus's
enough emotional force behind his resentment to pursue her praise only makes Iachimo's accusation about Imogen more of
with murderous intent. a shock.

So from the familiar beginning, the scene quickly moves into Dramatic irony drives most of the discomfort of the scene. The
new territory as Cloten attempts to win Imogen by serenading audience knows Imogen is innocent, so Iachimo's fabricated
her. His instructions to the musicians show him to be a crude

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 20

case against her seems all the crueler precisely because

Posthumus is convinced by it. This difference in perspective
Summary
increases the audience's sense that a grave injustice is being
At Cymbeline's palace, Caius Lucius has arrived with a
done, and Shakespeare draws it out over a rather long
message from Emperor Augustus Caesar of Rome. Because
conversation. As Iachimo toys with Posthumus, so
Julius Caesar had conquered Britain, the British had been
Shakespeare toys with the audience by allowing Philario to
paying tribute to Rome, but Cymbeline has stopped the
raise objections: The bracelet may have been lost, or one of
payments on the advice of his new queen. Caius Lucius's
her ladies may "hath stol'n it from her" and the evidence "is not
message is simple: resume the payments. The queen argues
strong enough to be believed." There is some slight hope,
against paying tribute, and her son agrees, adding he is a
perhaps, that Posthumus will recognize Iachimo's deception.
skilled soldier. Cymbeline is persuaded, even though he has
But ultimately he believes Iachimo's lies.
nothing against the emperor or his representative Caius
Lucius, and he declares that Rome has overstretched its
authority over "warlike" Britain. As a result, Caius Lucius says
Act 2, Scene 5 there will now be war.

Summary Analysis
In a long soliloquy, delivered while he is alone onstage, To match the growing tension between Cloten and Imogen,
Posthumus is undone by his sense of betrayal and has some Posthumus and Imogen, and Posthumus and Iachimo, the
harsh words for Imogen and women in general. He blames political conflict of the play is also coming to a head. Britain is
women for the evils of the world and vows vengeance on an independently run nation at this time, but it is not yet the
Imogen for her infidelity. imperialistic power it became later in its history. It is part of the
Roman Empire and as such owes tribute—similar to taxes—to
the Roman emperor. Predictably, the queen doesn't like this
Analysis idea, and just as predictably Cloten boasts about his fighting
skills. Cymbeline gives in to their position, suggesting a
Posthumus ends the act with a long rant about Imogen, and by malleability in him that his queen—far more ambitious—is willing
extension, all women. He attributes to women all the vices in and able to exploit.
the world: lying, flattering, deceiving, lust, ambitions, covetings,
and so on. Since he had stated Imogen's virtue and beauty This brewing war between Britain and Rome may seem
were beyond all other women's, so her betrayal means women unimportant and understated in light of the apparent main
generally are the source of all sin in the world. Even those bad conflicts of the play. But it is very important in terms of plot
parts of a man are somehow attributable to women: "there's no because it provides the means for the characters' geographic
motion / That tends to vice in man but I affirm / It is the movements later in the play. Setting the play in wartime allows
woman's part." The parallel between Posthumus and Othello is the final scene to unfold as a series of revelations and reunions
quite dramatic here, as Posthumus's thought process mimics that happen quite dramatically.
Othello's after he is convinced of Desdemona's infidelity by a
series of carefully orchestrated "proofs."
Act 3, Scene 2
Act 3, Scene 1
Summary
In another part of the palace, Pisanio has become upset after
reading a letter in which Posthumus has instructed Pisanio to
kill Imogen for her infidelity. Pisanio is supposed to send proof

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 21

that she is dead. Pisanio believes Imogen is innocent and

Posthumus has been deceived. Posthumus has also sent
Summary
Pisanio a letter to give to Imogen, which says (falsely) that
In Cambria, an old man called Morgan (whose true name is
Posthumus is in Britain and is living secretly in Milford Haven in
Belarius) converses with his two sons, Polydor and Cadwal,
Cambria—modern-day Wales. Through this deception,
who all live in a cave in the mountains. Belarius tells the young
Posthumus plans to lure Imogen away from home so Pisanio
men that the rural life is better than city life and far better than
can kill her. Pisanio is uncertain what to do, so he gives Imogen
living in the king's court. The two young men are skeptical
her letter. She is overjoyed at the prospect of seeing
because they have no experience of living elsewhere and
Posthumus and makes plans to have Pisanio take her to
would like to try out other lifestyles. Belarius tells them he used
Milford Haven to see her husband.
to be in the court of Cymbeline, but someone falsely accused
him and he was banished. Later, when his "sons" go out to
hunt, Belarius, in soliloquy, reveals who they really are—the two
Analysis lost sons of Cymbeline. Polydor is Guiderius, the elder son, and
Cadwal is Arviragus, the younger son. Belarius had kidnapped
Imogen's loyalty is being called into question, and the bond of
them to get back at Cymbeline for banishing him unfairly. The
trust between Imogen and Posthumus is frayed to the breaking
boys have no memory of their life as princes, believing
point. But it is Pisanio's loyalty and trust that now becomes the
"Morgan" is their father and their nurse, Euriphile, their mother.
focus. He is torn between his duty to Posthumus and his role
Belarius also believes their princely nature is revealed in how
looking after Imogen, whom he knows to be a faithful wife.
brave and ambitious they are.
Without knowing the situation, he jumps to the correct
conclusion: Posthumus has been tricked. When Pisanio
witnesses Imogen's joyful reaction to the letter from
Posthumus—a reaction meant to make the audience cringe
Analysis
along with Pisanio at Posthumus's behavior—he knows his
Halfway through the play, the audience finally gets to meet the
instincts are correct. She clearly is blameless or she would not
characters who inhabit the lost princes' subplot. This plot line
be so excited to see her husband.
evokes many aspects of the plot of The Winter's Tale. In The
Shakespeare often uses letters in his plays—frequently to Winter's Tale Perdita—the lost princess—is raised in a rural
miscommunicate rather than communicate truth. Letters may setting as a peasant girl, unaware of her true identity. The two
contain untruths; for example, the letter Malvolio finds in which sons of Cymbeline have been in a similar situation—raised in
Olivia declares her love for him in Twelfth Night. Letters may the mountains of Wales without any knowledge of their royal
contain truth but go undelivered, or come too late, as happens identity. In The Winter's Tale a false accusation is the inciting
when Friar John fails to deliver Friar Lawrence's letter to event in the plot. False accusations play a significant role in
Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Letters may also be delivered to Cymbeline as well. Imogen has been falsely accused of
the wrong people, as happens in Love's Labours' Lost. In this adultery, just as Hermione is in The Winter's Tale. Like Perdita,
scene, Pisanio receives two letters: one meant to deceive whose beauty and nobility set her apart from the other
Imogen and one containing falsehoods Posthumus has been peasants, Cymbeline's sons display their royal origins—their
led to believe. In this scene Shakespeare uses these two inherent superiority—in their behavior. And in Belarius's
letters to illustrate Pisanio's predicament. Pisanio knows both backstory, false accusations caused the king to banish
are false, in different ways. There seems to be no easy solution Belarius, which in turn led to the kidnapping of the princes as
to his problem. revenge.

In contrast to Posthumus and Cloten, who are in the grips of

their own vows of vengeance, Belarius is presented as a
Act 3, Scene 3 person who took his revenge long ago. And his monologue
revealing the princes' identities brings out another contrast
between the true nobility of those born as royalty and the false
nobility of those, like Cloten, who obtain their status by other

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 22

means. Belarius sees the princes are so inherently royal, in cheek"—her fair complexion—to the sun. So rather than being
fact, that he worries someone will find out his secret simply fair-skinned, fearful, and nice, which are womanly traits, she
because of the way the young men naturally behave. should be tanned, brave, and looking for a fight—masculine
traits, in Pisanio's view.

Act 3, Scene 4 The queen's poison/sleeping potion/medicine reenters the plot

here, as Pisanio gives it to Imogen, just in case she becomes ill
while in hiding. This foreshadows its importance in future plot
events.
Summary
Imogen and Pisanio have traveled to Milford Haven. Unable to
keep his secret, Pisanio shows her the other letter he received
Act 3, Scene 5
from Posthumus. She is appalled and sad that her husband has
accused her of infidelity and called for her death. She asks
Pisanio to kill her. But Pisanio has a different suggestion: Summary
Pisanio will tell Posthumus that Imogen is dead and will send
him a bloody cloth as proof. She will not return home, and her Back at the king's palace, Caius Lucius takes his leave.

disappearance will further convince Posthumus she is dead. Cymbeline wonders where Imogen is and sends a servant to

Imogen will disguise herself as a young man and join up with find her. Imogen proves to be gone, which makes the queen

Caius Lucius, who is shortly returning to Rome. Hidden among secretly happy. Cloten runs into Pisanio—who has just

the Romans, Imogen can be near Posthumus, whom she loves, returned—and says he will kill him if he does not reveal where

while staying hidden. Imogen agrees and prepares to disguise Imogen has gone. Pisanio, afraid of Cloten and believing

herself. Pisanio gives her the queen's sleeping potion, which he Imogen to be far away and well hidden, shows Cloten the letter

still carries, believing it to be a medicine. He hopes it will help if from Posthumus saying he will meet Imogen at Milford Haven.

Imogen becomes ill. Cloten decides to go to Milford Haven to confront Imogen and
Posthumus. He has Pisanio bring him some of Posthumus's
clothes, then reveals his plan to the audience: He will disguise
Analysis himself as Posthumus, confront Imogen about her disrespect
toward him, kill Posthumus while Imogen watches, then rape
Pisanio's behavior is a lesson in how to use lies to do good. Imogen. After Pisanio returns with the clothes, Cloten leaves to
Deception in this play is not inherently moral or immoral: it is a execute his plan. Left alone, Pisanio reveals his own plan. He
tool that can be used to achieve both evil and good results. will feign obedience to Cloten while really helping Imogen.
Pisanio gave Imogen Posthumus's deceptive letter, but rather
than using the letter as Posthumus intended Pisanio has used
it to get her out of sight and danger. Now he proposes Analysis
fabricating proof of her death, much the same way Iachimo
fabricated proof of her infidelity. But while Iachimo's false proof Cloten's plan is thoroughly reprehensible but strangely parallel

was intended to cause harm, Pisanio's false proof is intended to Imogen's own plot arc. Imogen is in disguise in a man's

to protect Imogen from harm. clothes, and now Cloten will go disguised in another man's
clothes. It is interesting that Imogen's own remark about having
This scene provides a fascinating look at gender expectations more respect for Posthumus's clothes than for Cloten is a key
of the time, as Pisanio's instructions to Imogen on disguising element in Cloten's plan. He plans to turn her insult into his own
herself as a man go farther than simply putting on male revenge by raping her while wearing her husband's clothing. It's
clothing. She is also to "change ... fear and niceness ... into a a petty plan for a petty villain.
waggish courage," and she should be "ready in gibes, quick-
answered, saucy, and / As quarrelous as the weasel." As to her Pisanio's loyalty is again at the fore of the scene, as he now

appearance, she should expose the "rarest treasure of your plans to use deception to convince Cloten of his loyalty while
really remaining loyal to Imogen and Posthumus. Again, he is

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 23

going to use deception for good while Cloten only uses it for overwhelming royal traits of the two brothers is again
evil. The theme of appearance versus reality is developed by highlighted by their almost supernatural virtue. They don't take
the various people in disguise, but also by Pisanio's various Imogen's money because gold is for those who worship "dirty
deceptions. He makes it appear Imogen is dead to please gods."
Posthumus, but in reality she is alive. He appears loyal to
Cloten, but his real allegiance is elsewhere. Like all cross-dressing Shakespearean heroines, Imogen would
have been played in Shakespeare's time by a boy or young
This scene also shows the queen's ambition and thirst for man, giving an extra layer of dramatic irony to these scenes.
power, as she reveals the full range of her hopes to the For example, when Imogen notes she would "change my sex to
audience: Imogen gone or dead, Pisanio dead, Cloten the king's be companion with them," not only has the character Imogen
heir, and Cymbeline dead. These admissions foreshadow her "changed" her sex to appear as a man, but originally a young
full deathbed confession, related in the final scene of the play. man would have "changed" his appearance to play Imogen.

Act 3, Scene 6 Act 3, Scene 7

Summary Summary
In Cambria, Imogen—dressed now as a young man—searches In Rome, three Roman officials discuss the plans emperor
for Milford Haven. She is exhausted, afraid, and hungry, so Augustus Caesar is making for war against Britain. Many
when she comes upon the home of Belarius, Guiderius, and Roman soldiers are busy fighting elsewhere—the army is "full
Arviragus she calls out. Hearing no answer, she goes inside. [too] weak" to take on the British rebellion—so the emperor
The three men come home to find a strange young man. plans to send an army of "gentry" to fight against Britain, led by
Imogen thinks they will be upset, but they prove to be good Caius Lucius.
and kind. The two young men feel brotherly toward their visitor,
who they think is a young man named Fidele. Imogen/Fidele
tells them she is seeking Milford Haven. They invite her to Analysis
spend the night in their home.
Rome is depicted in this scene as no stranger to war and
unrest. Rebellions, perhaps not unlike Britain's, are being put
Analysis down elsewhere in the Roman Empire. Since the emperor
already has troops fighting in several locations, he has to form
This scene continues Shakespeare's escalation of the an army of gentry—gentlemen—to fight Britain. This suggests
dramatic irony of the play, as three siblings are reunited but all the Roman Empire is seriously overstretched and its hold on its
of them are operating with identities not their own. Imogen, outlying territories is not particularly strong. Since Britain
Guiderius, and Arviragus appear in the scene as Fidele, would go on to gain its independence from Rome in the 5th
Polydor, and Cadwell. Imogen is aware of her true name, but century, this would have made sense to Shakespeare's more
the young men are not aware of either her true identity or their educated audience members.
own.

The theme of appearance versus reality is developed through

this ridiculous situation, as the brothers' strange feelings of
Act 4, Scene 1
fraternity emphasize the play's message that false
appearances are only temporary and reality will eventually be
revealed. Imogen, too, feels something special for the two
brothers, remarking in an aside "Would it had been so, that
they / Had been my father's sons!" In addition, the

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 24

the headless body dressed in the clothes of Posthumus. She

Summary faints.

Cloten, wearing Posthumus's clothes, has arrived in Cambria Caius Lucius, traveling on his way to meet the Roman army,
and happens to be near the home of Belarius. Cloten is arrives with a Roman captain and a soothsayer. The captain
confident he will find Posthumus and Imogen shortly, since he tells Caius Lucius the Roman army is approaching. Suddenly
is sure that "the fellow (Pisanio) dares not deceive me," and they notice Imogen's lifeless body lying on a headless body.
recaps his plan to get even with them. He brags about his Suddenly she wakes, introduces herself as Fidele, and explains
wealth, status, youth, strength, and good looks. the dead man was her employer, beheaded by robbers. Caius
Lucius invites Fidele to be his servant. Imogen, as Fidele,
agrees.
Analysis
In contrast with Imogen's brothers, who have inherent royalty Analysis
but no official status, Cloten has high rank but no redeeming
personal qualities or virtues. Cloten is often seen as a foil for In this scene, storylines begin to converge, setting up the
Posthumus because they are opponents in desire for Imogen, ultimate conclusion of the play. Imogen has already stumbled
and Cloten has become obsessed with proving he is better into the "lost princes" subplot, and now Cloten joins her—if only
than Posthumus. But he is even more of a foil to the princes, for a short time. In addition, the queen's scheme to poison
whose royal qualities shine through their lowly appearance. Pisanio now intersects with Imogen and the lost princes, as
Imogen takes the poison intended for Pisanio. In joining Caius
Lucius, Imogen also unites herself with the Roman war subplot,
Act 4, Scene 2 allowing the play's formerly disparate elements to increasingly
rely on one another.

Shakespeare's reliance on coincidental cause and effect is

Summary seen in both tragedies and comedies, as well as plays that fall
somewhere between the two, like Cymbeline. In a tragedy,
At the home of Belarius, Imogen talks to Belarius's "sons," and
cause-and-effect relationships lead to the seemingly inevitable
they again remark on their feelings of brotherly love for her.
downfall and usually death of the main character(s). This
After the other men go outside, Imogen (feeling ill) takes the
pattern can be seen up until this point in the play. And in fact,
"medicine" Pisanio left with her and falls into a deep sleep.
the play would end here, in tragedy, had it not been for
Cloten arrives near the cave, searching for Imogen and Cornelius's wisdom in substituting a sleeping potion for the
Posthumus, and encounters the three men. Belarius and poison the queen requested. His choice, made from an
Arviragus go look for any men who may have accompanied abundance of caution on the doctor's part, now saves Imogen's
Cloten, leaving Guiderius with Cloten. Cloten insults Guiderius, life. Her resurrection now begins a new chapter in the story,
and then says he will kill all three of the men. Guiderius and one in which events lead from one to the other in a series of
Cloten begin a fight that takes them offstage. Belarius and events ending in a huge reunion of those now separated.
Arviragus return, and then Guiderius returns carrying Cloten's
Of course, some elements of sadness remain despite the
severed head. Belarius is worried they will be in trouble for the
change in tone from tragic to comedic. Imogen believes her
killing, but the brothers are unconcerned.
husband is dead, after all. But since the audience knows the
Arviragus then discovers the sleeping Imogen/Fidele, who dead man is really the despicable Cloten, Imogen's sorrow is
appears to be dead. The three men, filled with grief, prepare to understood to be temporary.
bury Fidele. Belarius instructs the young men to place the
headless body of Cloten near Fidele, because even if he was a
fool he was a prince. The three men leave, intending to return
to bury the bodies that night. When Imogen wakes, she sees

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 25

the mountains, but the two young men are eager for battle.
Act 4, Scene 3 They persuade Belarius to come with them as they join the
fight against the Romans.

Summary
Analysis
At the palace, Cymbeline is beset with problems, including the
illness and apparent insanity of his queen whose son has This scene brings Belarius and the two princes one step closer
disappeared. Imogen also has not returned. He is alone, and to being revealed. The nearness of the British army causes
the Roman army is approaching. Cymbeline questions Pisanio different reactions among the men. Belarius is not enthusiastic
about Imogen's location, and while Pisanio declares his loyalty about joining the battle, and he spends most of this scene
to the king he feigns ignorance. Cymbeline leaves to prepare to worrying. He thinks if he joins the battle he will be recognized,
meet the Romans in battle. Pisanio, alone, is unsure about why and the death of Cloten might be discovered. He wants to run
he has not heard from Posthumus or Imogen, but he realizes away.
their fate is out of his hands.
The two brothers, however, want to run toward the sounds of
fighting. They are excited for the adventure and excitement of
Analysis battle. The enthusiasm of Guiderius and Arviragus to join the
battle was previously noted by Belarius as a sign of their
As expected, Cymbeline is not really up to the task of war with inherent nobility, and in this scene he echoes that sentiment in
Rome, and he is without his usual supports: the queen and more visceral language, saying their blood will show them to be
Cloten, who encourage Cymbeline to be aggressive, and princes, as it will "fly out and show them princes born."
Imogen, in whom the king used to take comfort. As the Roman
army approaches—with both the gentry and some
accompanying legions of soldiers—Cymbeline is in an agitated Act 5, Scene 1
state.

Pisanio continues to manifest his strange mixture of deception

and loyalty in this scene, as he professes loyalty to the
Summary
king—"Beseech your / Highness, / Hold me your loyal
Posthumus is at the camp of the Roman army, having come
servant"—while vehemently denying any knowledge of
with Iachimo and the others to fight against Britain on the
Imogen's whereabouts. He ends the scene with a soliloquy in
Roman side. He believes Pisanio killed Imogen (and is angry
which he admits that despite all his maneuvering, the fates of
that he did so, saying, "Every good servant does not all
Imogen and the others are out of his control. He describes his
commands; / No bond but to do just ones.") But he is even
unique perspective: "Wherein I am false I am honest; not true,
more filled with regret for his own angry and violent actions. He
to be true." Then he says, hopefully, "Fortune brings in some
looks at the bloody cloth Pisanio sent him and says even
boats that are not steered."
though Imogen was unfaithful she did not deserve death. Her
fault was small compared to his own faults, especially since he
is responsible for the death of Britain's only princess. He
Act 4, Scene 4 decides as penance he will fight for Britain against the
Romans. He disguises himself as British peasant and joins the
fight on the British side, thinking perhaps he will die in battle.
Summary
The war between Britain and Rome is now in full swing. There Analysis
is fighting near the home of Belarius. The three men can hear
the battle raging. Belarius says they should hide farther up in Posthumus has had a drastic change of heart. Though he still

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 26

believes Imogen committed adultery, he feels now he should unresolved conflict between the two. It is primarily Iachimo who
have been more forgiving since that is a small fault compared is responsible for Posthumus's troubles. That Posthumus
with his own fault—murder. This is the opposite attitude he "vanquisheth and disarmeth Iachimo" suggests Posthumus will
took in Act 2, Scene 5. also come out the victor in a future showdown. The short battle
is followed by a soliloquy in which Iachimo repents of his
Dramatic irony again plays a crucial role in the play, as actions toward Imogen, which he now believes have been
Posthumus complains Pisanio should not have killed counted against him by the gods, since a simple "drudge"
Imogen—he should have refused to follow such a terrible and (Posthumus, disguised as a peasant) was able to defeat him.
unjust order from Posthumus. Posthumus's insistence that (Of course, in another instance of dramatic irony, his
Pisanio should not have obeyed an unjust command shows a vanquisher is actually a nobleman.)
broadening sense of what true loyalty involves—one more in
line with the play's overarching attitude. The audience knows, In a similarly meaningful event, Cymbeline is rescued by his
of course, that Pisanio did refuse to follow this order. own sons, whom he does not know. Without knowing they are
Unbeknownst to Posthumus, Pisanio did exactly what princes, the princes turn the tide of the battle in favor of the
Posthumus now concludes is the correct action. Britons, foreshadowing not just a military victory but the
righting of a kingdom that has, until now, gone astray with its
At the end of the scene, yet another person is donning a lack of heirs, evil queen, and deceived king.
disguise. Posthumus, a Briton who has been traveling as a
Roman, will now disguise himself as a British peasant in order
to atone for his sin in depriving Britain of its princess.
Meanwhile, Cloten's dead body is dressed as Posthumus, and
Act 5, Scene 3
Imogen is still masquerading as Fidele.

Summary
Act 5, Scene 2 Posthumus, still dressed as a Briton soldier, discusses the
battle with a Briton lord. Posthumus tells him an old man and
two young men heroically turned the battle around, giving
Summary Britain the victory. Posthumus, still hoping for death, decides to
put on his Roman clothes again so the British will kill him. Two
As the battle rages, the disguised Posthumus fights with British captains arrive and discuss the battle. They, too, note
Iachimo, defeating Iachimo and confiscating his weapon. how the old man and his sons helped the British win. They also
Iachimo feels guilty for his deception, assuming the heavens note how a fourth man also helped gain the victory. Posthumus
and his guilt have made his fighting poor. The Roman army reveals his presence (and identifies himself as a Roman), and
does well at first, capturing Cymbeline, but Belarius, Guiderius, they take him prisoner. Cymbeline orders the Roman prisoners
Arviragus, and Posthumus rescue the king. Now motivated, the taken to prison.
British soldiers are reinvigorated and the battle begins to turn
in Britain's favor.
Analysis
Analysis Since it is difficult to stage large battle scenes, Shakespeare
often provides descriptions of battles that took place
The battle rages, and important meetings occur without elsewhere by having characters discuss the details. In this
characters' understanding their full meaning. The audience, if it scene the battle is described in more than one conversation,
has been keeping track of all the true identities and disguises, each time from a slightly different perspective. The first
is alone in understanding the full picture. description is Posthumus's, and he describes an "ancient
soldier" and two "striplings" who helped turn the battle around.
The confrontation between Posthumus and Iachimo, which
He doesn't mention his own part in the battle. But when the
takes place without dialogue, reminds the audience of the

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Scene Summaries 27

captains come in, they refer to a "fourth man" in rustic clothing

who also fought alongside the old man and the two boys. This, Act 5, Scene 5
of course, is Posthumus, who throughout the course of this
scene has changed his clothing back to Roman clothing and
been taken prisoner. Summary
Cymbeline, in his tent on the battlefield, knights Belarius,
Act 5, Scene 4 Guiderius, and Arviragus for their heroism in saving him and
helping the Briton army. He wonders about the fourth man and
regrets not being able to knight him as well. Cornelius, the
doctor, enters to tell the king the queen has died. Cornelius
Summary explains the queen confessed she planned to kill Imogen and
"to work / Her son into th' adoption of the crown."
In a British prison, Posthumus, captured as a Roman officer,
prays to the "good gods" for death. In his sleep he has a vision Some captured Roman prisoners are brought in, including
of his dead father, mother, and two brothers. They pray to Caius Lucius, Iachimo, Imogen/Fidele, the soothsayer
Jupiter, asking why Posthumus must suffer when he is such a Philarmonus, and Posthumus. Cymbeline intends to kill them,
good man. Jupiter appears and says Posthumus will be "lord of but Caius Lucius asks that his page Fidele be spared.
Lady Imogen, / And happier much by his affliction made." Cymbeline thinks Fidele looks familiar. Belarius, Guiderius, and
Jupiter leaves a written tablet or book for Posthumus. When Arviragus are shocked, having believed Fidele to be dead.
Posthumus wakes, he finds the book with Jupiter's message. Pisanio realizes joyfully that Fidele is Imogen.
Unfortunately, the message is too confusing for Posthumus to
understand. A jailer comes to take Posthumus to his death. Cymbeline agrees to spare Fidele and offers any gift the boy
Posthumus says he is ready—more than ready. But then a names. Fidele wants to know how the prisoner Iachimo got the
messenger arrives to take Posthumus to Cymbeline instead. diamond ring he is wearing. When asked about it, a repentant
Iachimo explains his bet with Posthumus and his deception. At
this Posthumus reveals himself in order to confront Iachimo.
Analysis He confesses he had Imogen killed for her adultery and asks
the king to punish him. Imogen's true identity is then revealed.
As he prays, Posthumus says he wishes he could exchange his Pisanio explains how he got the "medicine" he gave to Imogen,
life for Imogen's, saying, "For Imogen's dear life take mine; and and that it was actually a sleeping potion, clearing up the
though / 'Tis not so dear, yet 'tis a life." This is an echo of mystery of Imogen's "death" for Belarius, Guiderius, and
Imogen's words to her father in Act 1, when she claims Arviragus. Pisanio, with help from Guiderius, also explains
Posthumus "overbuys me / Almost the sum he pays." The idea Cloten's fate.
that people have a certain quantifiable value and can be
bought, sold, exchanged, and the like is part of a larger debate Cymbeline arrests Guiderius for killing a prince. But then
about what gives a person worth. Do a person's values and Belarius confesses the two young men are the two lost princes
actions give him or her worth, or does rank? Overall this play of Britain and he kidnapped the boys out of revenge for being
suggests the latter: Cloten has a high rank but is a worthless banished. Cymbeline is so joyful to have his sons he forgives
person by all accounts. Posthumus comes from a lower birth Belarius.
but at the end proves as noble as royalty.
Cymbeline again expresses regret that the mysterious fourth
Because of Jupiter's appearance and intervention, it appears man he heard about can't be rewarded. Posthumus admits he
that Posthumus's noble qualities, which his family members was that man and describes how he defeated Iachimo on the
praise in their prayers to Jupiter, have won him some favor with battlefield. Iachimo admits his wrong and asks for the
the gods. This supports the idea that it is a person's punishment of death. But Posthumus forgives him. Cymbeline
fundamental qualities, not his circumstances, that have more pardons all the prisoners.
sway with the gods.
A soothsayer interprets Jupiter's message, which is shown to

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Quotes 28

have foretold a happy ending for Posthumus and Imogen, the shows a father's love as he explains, "These two young
return of the princes, and peace between Britain and Rome. gentlemen that call me father / And think they are my sons are
Cymbeline agrees to continue paying Rome tribute and calls none of mine ... I must lose / Two of the sweet'st companions in
for a celebration. the world." His weeping seems to move Cymbeline, whose own
shortcomings as a father have become quite apparent.

Analysis The interpretation and celebration of Jupiter's prophetic

message concludes the play, and it sums up the "happy
For an audience that has been keeping track of multiple ending" of this fairy tale. The "lion's whelp" is Posthumus, and
disguises, alternate identities, and various lies and deceptions, he is reunited with the "tender air" that is Imogen. The cedar is
this final scene brings all secrets to light and provides closure Cymbeline and the branches his two sons, who now rejoin the
for every plot line. That makes for a very long scene, full of tree. Out of gratitude for these things, Cymbeline makes peace
dramatic irony. Some directors try to minimize the length of the with Rome and calls for a feast at Jupiter's temple.
scene by omitting the Jupiter storyline entirely. It is clear the
play has a happy ending, even if a message from the god
doesn't spell it out. g Quotes
But no matter how a director may try to trim down this scene,
there are still an incredible number of revelations here. Imogen,
"For my sake, wear this. / It is a
Posthumus, and Belarius reveal their true identities. People
who were thought dead turn out to be alive. The two lost manacle of love. I'll place it / Upon
princes are "found." Cloten and the queen are revealed to be
this fairest prisoner."
dead. The deceptions of the queen, Cornelius, Pisanio, and
Iachimo are revealed.
— Posthumus, Act 1, Scene 1
Amid the hilarity, as one after the other character steps
forward and shocks the assembled company, are a few
Posthumus says this as he places a bracelet on Imogen's wrist,
poignant elements—both concerning fathers. The scene
likening the bracelet to a manacle and marriage to a prison.
begins as Cymbeline wonders about the mysterious fourth
This vivid image suggests he has strong feelings about the
soldier who "so richly fought." He wants to reward this mystery
obligations of marriage, setting the stage for his extreme
man as he is rewarding the three other heroes. The king is
reaction to the idea that Imogen might have been unfaithful.
amazed that someone who was dressed in rags could have
fought as well as those with armor. Belarius chimes in with a
similar sentiment: "Such noble fury in so poor a thing, / Such
precious deeds in one that promised naught / But beggary and
"It is your fault that I have loved
poor looks." The audience knows this man is Posthumus, Posthumus. / You bred him as my
whose banishment is what sets off the chain of events that
almost led to tragedy. Cymbeline could have accepted playfellow, and he ... overbuys me /
Posthumus as his son-in-law but chose instead to give in to
Almost the sum he pays."
pressure from his queen and his own insecurities about his
family line. Cloten was the queen's son, after all, and so more
— Imogen, Act 1, Scene 1
nobly born than Posthumus. For this weakness, Cymbeline
needs forgiveness as much as any of the others. By the end he
has accepted Posthumus as his son-in-law. Imogen accuses her father, Cymbeline, of being responsible
for her falling in love with Posthumus, since Cymbeline is the
Another poignant moment is the confession of Belarius, which one who took Posthumus in and raised him alongside Imogen.
reunites the king with his lost sons. Belarius's act of revenge is Imogen also speaks highly of Posthumus's character and
long in the past, and he has raised the boys as his own. He worth, suggesting Posthumus's value is even greater than her

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Quotes 29

own value. notes how odd Cloten's stupidity is given that his mother (the
queen) is extremely intelligent. The second lord follows up this
insult by elaborating that Cloten "Cannot take two from twenty,
"'Twas a contention ... his to be for his heart, / And leave eighteen."

more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, /

constant, qualified ... than any the "His mean'st garment ... is dearer /
rarest of our ladies in France." In my respect than all the hairs
above thee, / Were they all made
— Frenchman, Act 1, Scene 4
such men."
A Frenchman, talking with Iachimo, recounts a boast made by
— Imogen, Act 2, Scene 3
Posthumus that Imogen was the most virtuous of all ladies in
France. Iachimo confronts Posthumus with this boast, asking if
he would also say this about the Italian ladies, and Posthumus Imogen delivers this grave insult to Cloten after he tries
says yes. Iachimo makes his wager against the boast, unsuccessfully to woo her with music and insults Posthumus
extending the language to "any lady in the world." on top of it. She tells him she respects Posthumus's most
worthless piece of clothing more than she respects Cloten. But
this insult sticks with Cloten and provides the motivation for his
"She is fooled / With a most false plan to murder Posthumus and rape Imogen.

effect, and I the truer / So to be

false with her." "Flattering, hers; deceiving, hers; /
Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers;
— Cornelius, Act 1, Scene 5
revenges, hers; ... All faults ... hers,
The queen's doctor, Cornelius, knows her to be untrustworthy, in part or all, but rather all."
and so he decides to deceive her by giving her a sleeping
potion instead of poison. In doing so he saves the lives of — Posthumus, Act 2, Scene 5
others, on whom she had intended to use the poison. Cornelius
is only one of many deceivers in the play, but like the servant
Posthumus attributes a long list of faults to Imogen, none of
Pisanio his deceptions are for good, not for evil.
which are hers but all of which can be attributed to other
characters in the play, such as Iachimo, a deceiver; Cloten, full
of lust and rank thoughts; Belarius, who took revenge; and
"That such a crafty devil as is his flattering courtiers such as the first lord. That Imogen is
mother / Should yield the world accused of all these faults but guilty of none is part of the
tragedy of her situation.
this ass!"

— Second lord, Act 2, Scene 1 "You must forget to be a woman;

change ... fear and niceness ... into
The second lord continually insults Cloten in asides. As the first
lord flatters Cloten, he brags endlessly about his strength, a waggish courage, / Ready in
manliness, good looks, and intelligence. Here, the second lord

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Quotes 30

Pisanio echoes Cornelius's "I the truer / So to be false with

gibes ... quarrelous as the weasel."
her" by stating a similar sentiment. He has lied to everyone
about Imogen's situation. He's told Posthumus she is dead and
— Pisanio, Act 3, Scene 4
feigned ignorance to Cloten and Cymbeline about where she
is. But his personal conviction that what he's done is right
In contrast with Posthumus, who attributes all manner of bad comes through strongly.
behavior to women, Pisanio here suggests a list of traits
Imogen should take on to pass as a man. While women are
fearful and nice, men are waggish, insulting, and eager to start "Fortune brings in some boats that
a fight.
are not steered."

"I see a man's life is a tedious one. — Pisanio, Act 4, Scene 3

/ I have tired myself, and for two

Throughout the play, characters pray to the gods. Posthumus
nights together / Have made the even has a vision of and message from Jupiter. Because
Pisanio shares this classical Roman perspective, he is willing to
ground my bed."
commit to fortune both the outcome of his actions and the
safety of Imogen. This statement proves prophetic, as in the
— Imogen, Act 3, Scene 6 end Fortune brings all boats to Cymbeline's shore by a number
of different means.
For her part, Imogen has her own opinion of the lot of men as
compared to women. After traveling as a man, she seems to
long for the soft bed and interesting pastimes of her former "I lost my children. / If these be
life. Yet she bravely persists in her disguise.
they, I know not how to wish / A
pair of worthier sons."
"I know not why / I love this youth,
— Cymbeline, Act 5, Scene 5
and I have heard you say / Love's
reason's without reason."
Far from punishing Belarius for his treachery, as might happen
in a tragedy, Cymbeline instead forgives him. He even
— Arviragus, Act 4, Scene 2 compliments him for doing such a good job raising his sons.

Both of Imogen's brothers are living under different names in

Wales, without any knowledge they are really princes. But they "Kneel not to me. / The power that
constantly remark on how much they feel brotherly love for the
young man Fidele (Imogen in disguise). Arviragus attributes his
I have on you is to spare you; / The
strange feelings to the proverb "Love is without reason." But malice towards you to forgive you."
the reality is that there is a reason—Arviragus is her brother.

— Posthumus, Act 5, Scene 5

"Wherein I am false I am honest;

Posthumus, who knows now that Iachimo was the source of
not true, to be true." the lies that nearly led to Imogen's death, forgives him. In one
— Pisanio, Act 4, Scene 3 of his most noble moments, he exercised his power by giving

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Symbols 31

mercy, not justice. He follows this act of mercy with some kissing his handkerchief, presumably longing for the kiss of
advice for Iachimo: "Live / And deal with others better." Imogen, his beloved. Imogen, hearing of this, laments she is not
the handkerchief. And so it becomes a symbol of their
separation. It makes only a brief appearance, but it is
"We'll learn our freeness of a son- noticeable partially because of the important role played by a
handkerchief in Othello, a play that contains many of the same
in-law: / Pardon's the word to all." plot and character elements as the story of Imogen, Iachimo,
and Posthumus in Cymbeline.
— Cymbeline, Act 5, Scene 5

Summing up the theme of forgiveness, which manifests most

Bloody Cloth
strongly in the final scene, Cymbeline declares pardons all the
way around. But this line also shows Cymbeline himself
repents of his former treatment of his son-in-law, now holding
Posthumus up as an example even a king should follow. When Pisanio needs to convince Posthumus he has killed
Imogen, he sends Posthumus a bloody cloth. It is stained with
the blood of an animal, not a human, but Posthumus is
convinced. Later, after Posthumus has a change of heart about
l Symbols his actions, he still carries the bloody cloth. For him it becomes
a symbol and reminder of his terrible, sinful actions: "Yea,
bloody cloth, I'll keep thee, for I wished / Thou shouldst be
colored thus" (Act 5, Scene 1).
Ring and Bracelet

After Posthumus is banished by Cymbeline for marrying m Themes

Imogen, Imogen and Posthumus exchange jewelry. Imogen
gives Posthumus a diamond ring. Posthumus gives Imogen a
bracelet. These items of jewelry are tokens that symbolize the
Appearance versus Reality
love between the two. When they must be apart, the tokens will
remind each of the other's love. Unfortunately, these tokens
become caught up in Iachimo's cruel wager. The diamond ring
is what he will win from Posthumus if he succeeds in seducing Throughout the play, appearance and reality are in tension. Of
Imogen. The bracelet, stolen by Iachimo from Imogen's the sprawling cast of characters, four deliberately don
bedchamber, is one of the proofs Iachimo provides to disguises in order to appear as a different person, class,
Posthumus to show he won the bet. As a result, the tokens gender, or nationality. Imogen disguises herself as the young
meant to symbolize the love of Posthumus and Imogen come man Fidele. Cloten wears the clothes of Posthumus.
to symbolize instead the rift between them and the unreliability Posthumus wears the clothes of both a Briton peasant and a
of appearances. Roman soldier. Belarius, a former courtier, lives life as a
peasant under an assumed name. Two princes, kidnapped as
children and raised in rural Wales, appear to be peasants.

Handkerchief This contrast between appearance and reality manifests in

other ways as well. Various proofs are offered for events that
did not happen: Iachimo "proves" Imogen slept with him by
displaying intimate knowledge and a bracelet. Pisario "proves"
When Posthumus departs Britain's shore, he is seen repeatedly Imogen is dead using a bloody cloth. A potion that is presented

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Motifs 32

as a medicine causes Imogen to appear dead, and she wakes Posthumus are glad she is alive. But his story line does suggest
next to a man who appears to be her dead husband. that being trustworthy does not always mean being
honest—and perhaps sometimes even necessitates being
Over the course of the play, reality begins to win out over dishonest in a world in which treachery and danger are
appearances. By the final scene, the truth—the reality—about everywhere.
all these false appearances is revealed. Imogen is not dead,
despite seeming so twice. The dead man is not Posthumus, but
Cloten. Imogen did not betray Posthumus by sleeping with
Iachimo. Even the princes, who are not even aware of their true Forgiveness
identities, are revealed to be royal—first by their courageous
actions, and then by the admission of Belarius, who had
kidnapped them as an act of revenge.
Of course, whenever betrayal is part of a plot, there are two
main ways characters can respond: revenge or forgiveness.
This play, unlike Hamlet, ends happily, with forgiveness. That's
Trust and Betrayal not to say there is no revenge in the play. Belarius's act of
stealing the king's two sons was an act of revenge, as is
Posthumus's demand that Pisanio kill Imogen. But even
Belarius is forgiven as Cymbeline admits he did a fine job
The nature of trust and loyalty is woven into the plot of raising the princes: "I lost my children. / If these be they, I know
Cymbeline, and at times its characters are faced with difficult not how to wish / A pair of worthier sons" (Act 5, Scene 5).
moral dilemmas because of competing loyalties. There are true
betrayals of trust, such as Belarius's kidnapping of the king's Posthumus, driven by Iachimo's deception into a murderous
sons, the queen's plot to kill Pisanio and her husband, and rage that threatened the life of Imogen, is remarkably forgiving
Posthumus's terrible readiness to believe the worst of Imogen. when Iachimo expresses his deep regret: "The power that I
It is important to note that not all of these are treated equally in have on you is to spare you; / The malice towards you to
the play: while the queen's treachery is clearly evil and forgive you." Imogen, too, has some forgiving to do. She was
unforgivable, both Belarius's and Posthumus's acts of betrayal wronged first by Iachimo, and then by Posthumus. But she is
are forgiven in the play's final scene. There are also false quick to forgive, asking Posthumus only "Why did you throw
betrayals of trust, such as Imogen's adultery with Iachimo and your wedded lady from you?" before embracing him.
Pisanio's murder of Imogen—both events that did not happen
but were presented as having occurred.

This theme is also developed through the character Pisanio,

m Motifs
Posthumus's servant, who stays with Imogen to serve her
when Posthumus goes into exile in Italy. Pisanio's loyalty to
Posthumus is tested when Posthumus instructs Pisanio to kill
Imogen. Pisanio, of course, feels loyalty to Imogen, and she
trusts him to look out for her best interests while her husband
is away. So Pisanio must come up with a creative way to Clothing
resolve this moral dilemma, which he successfully does by only
pretending to kill Imogen, hoping Posthumus will come around.
However, Pisanio's loyalty troubles don't end there. Later in the
Clothing is used by Imogen, Posthumus, and Cloten to hide
play, when Cymbeline realizes Imogen is missing, he demands
their true identity, and as such they support the theme of
Pisanio tell him where she is. Pisanio swears he is the king's
appearance versus reality. Imogen is not a man, but she must
loyal servant, but then he lies, saying he doesn't know anything
appear to be one in order to avoid death. Cloten dresses as
about the missing Imogen. Ultimately, Pisanio does what is
Posthumus in order to go unnoticed about the country while
right by protecting Imogen, and both Cymbeline and
looking for Imogen. When he is beheaded, his clothed and

Copyright © 2021 Course Hero, Inc. Downloaded on 07-19-2021 by 100000817764887

Cymbeline Study Guide Suggested Reading 33

headless body convinces Imogen her husband is dead. "Shakespeare's Works." Shakespeare Resource Center, n.d.
Posthumus dresses as a Briton peasant in order to fight
unnoticed on the side of Britain, and in this disguise he
vanquishes Iachimo in a fight.

Letters

Shakespeare often uses letters in his plays to create

suspense, drama, or comedic situations. Letters are a
convenient plot device since they may contain truth or lies,
they take time to deliver, and they often go astray or remain
undelivered. In this play, letters play more than a simple plot
role. They also support its main themes. They support the
theme of appearance versus reality because they are so often
used to misrepresent reality. For example, of the two letters
Posthumus sends to Pisanio, one contains a truth (Posthumus
wants Pisanio to kill Imogen) while the other contains a lie
meant to give a false appearance (everything is fine, and
Posthumus wants to secretly meet Imogen). These two letters
also help to develop the theme of trust and betrayal because
they create a terrible predicament for loyal and trustworthy
Pisanio. If he does what his master trusts him to do, he will be
betraying the trust of Imogen, whom he knows to be innocent.

e Suggested Reading
Bieman, Elizabeth. William Shakespeare: The Romances.
Twayne, 1990.

Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare's Romances. Chelsea, 2000.

Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare's Romances: Comprehensive

Research and Study Guide. Chelsea, 2000.

"Cymbeline." Folger Shakespeare Library, n.d.

Dobson, Michael, and Stanley Wells. The Oxford Companion to

Shakespeare. Oxford UP, 2001.

Holinshed, Raphael, Holinshed's Chronicle as Used in

Shakespeare's Plays. Edited by Allardyce Nicoll, Josephine
Nicoll, and W.G. Boswell-Stone, Dent, 1927.

All material contained within this document/guide is protected by copyright law of the US and various other
jurisdictions and may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent. Contact Course Hero
with respect to reproduction or distribution. This document was downloaded from Coursehero.com on 07-19-2021
by 100000817764887.