Cymbeline · Chapter
Scene I explained
The play opens with two gentlemen discussing the king's displeasure at his daughter Imogen's secret marriage to Posthumus Leonatus, a worthy but low-born gentleman.
What happens
The play opens with two gentlemen discussing the king's displeasure at his daughter Imogen's secret marriage to Posthumus Leonatus, a worthy but low-born gentleman. The queen feigns sympathy but secretly schemes. Imogen and Posthumus exchange tokens of love—a ring and a bracelet—before Cymbeline banishes Posthumus. The queen learns of a scuffle between Cloten and Posthumus, and Imogen expresses her disdain for Cloten. The scene establishes the central conflict of love versus royal authority.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
The queen's feigned kindness contrasts with her true malice; the courtiers' outward sorrow hides inner gladness at Cloten's loss.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Imogen's loyalty to Posthumus defies her father; the queen's betrayal of trust is evident in her manipulative words.
Love and Fidelity
Imogen and Posthumus exchange tokens as symbols of their enduring love and fidelity despite separation.
Power and Political Conflict
Cymbeline's royal authority clashes with Imogen's personal choice, highlighting the tension between state and individual.
Characters to notice
- Imogen
Defies her father by marrying Posthumus; expresses deep love and loyalty; exchanges a diamond ring as a token.
- Posthumus Leonatus
Banished for marrying Imogen; vows loyalty; gives Imogen a bracelet; plans to reside in Rome at Philario's.
- Cymbeline
Angry at Imogen's marriage; banishes Posthumus; orders Imogen imprisoned.
- Queen
Pretends to support Imogen and Posthumus but schemes against them; manipulates Cymbeline.
- Pisanio
Posthumus's servant; delivers notes from Posthumus to Imogen; reports the scuffle between Cloten and Posthumus.
- Cloten
Mentioned as the queen's son who drew on Posthumus; Imogen scorns him.
- First Lord
Provides exposition about Posthumus's noble lineage and the kidnapping of Cymbeline's sons.
- Second Lord
Engages in dialogue with the First Lord, learning about the court's discontent and the missing princes.
Key passages
“O Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Can tickle where she wounds!”
Imogen sees through the queen's false kindness, recognizing that her sweet words are a cover for cruelty.
Imogen's insight into the queen's hypocrisy.
“This diamond was my mother’s: take it, heart; But keep it till you woo another wife, When Imogen is dead.”
Imogen gives Posthumus her mother's diamond ring, telling him to keep it until he remarries after her death.
Imogen's gift symbolizes her devotion and fear of loss.
“I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock.”
Imogen defends her choice of Posthumus as noble (an eagle) over Cloten, whom she calls a worthless bird (a puttock).
Imogen's defiance of her father's wishes.
“You bred him as my playfellow, and he is A man worth any woman, overbuys me Almost the sum he pays.”
Imogen reminds Cymbeline that he raised Posthumus as her companion, and that Posthumus's worth far exceeds any dowry.
Imogen's argument for the value of her husband.
