# Scene II explained — Cymbeline

> Chapter companion for Cymbeline by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

In the dead of night, Imogen is reading in her bedchamber before falling asleep. Iachimo emerges from a trunk where he had hidden, observes her sleeping form, and takes a bracelet from her arm. He also notes a mole on her left breast, intending to use these details as false proof of infidelity to Posthumus. He returns to the trunk as the clock strikes three.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Iachimo's secret observation and theft of the bracelet create a false appearance of Imogen's infidelity, contrasting with her actual chastity.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Iachimo's betrayal of Posthumus's trust and his violation of Imogen's privacy underscore the theme of treachery.

## Character check-ins

### Imogen

Reading late in her bedchamber, she falls asleep and is unknowingly observed by Iachimo.

### Iachimo

Hides in the trunk, emerges to steal Imogen's bracelet and note a mole on her breast, planning to deceive Posthumus.

## Key lines

> Our Tarquin thus Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd The chastity he wounded.

Like the legendary Tarquin who crept silently to assault Lucretia, Iachimo moves stealthily to violate Imogen's honor.

_Iachimo compares himself to Tarquin, emphasizing his predatory intent._

> On her left breast A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops I' the bottom of a cowslip

On her left breast there is a mole with five spots, resembling the red droplets at the base of a cowslip flower.

_Iachimo notes this intimate detail as evidence to fabricate a story of seduction._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cymbeline_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters