# Scene III explained — Cymbeline

> Chapter companion for Cymbeline by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Cloten attempts to woo Imogen with music and gifts, but she rejects him harshly, declaring her love for Posthumus and her hatred for Cloten. Cloten vows revenge after Imogen insults him by valuing Posthumus's meanest garment above him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Fidelity

Imogen's unwavering loyalty to Posthumus is contrasted with Cloten's aggressive pursuit, highlighting the theme of true love versus selfish desire.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Cloten's musical serenade and gifts are a superficial attempt to win Imogen, masking his true brutish nature and lack of genuine affection.

### Power and Political Conflict

The arrival of the Roman ambassador Caius Lucius signals the looming political conflict between Britain and Rome, intertwined with the personal power struggles at court.

## Character check-ins

### Cloten

Cloten tries to win Imogen through music and bribery, but is rebuffed and humiliated, vowing revenge.

### Imogen

Imogen firmly rejects Cloten's advances, declares her love for Posthumus, and insults Cloten by valuing Posthumus's garment above him.

### Cymbeline

Cymbeline enters and speaks with Cloten about Imogen's resistance, then leaves to receive the Roman ambassador.

### Queen

The Queen advises Cloten on how to win Imogen through patient and strategic courtship.

### Pisanio

Pisanio is briefly summoned by Imogen to search for a lost jewel that belonged to Posthumus.

### Caius Lucius

Mentioned as the Roman ambassador arriving at court.

## Key lines

> Hark, hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings, And Phoebus 'gins arise, His steeds to water at those springs On chaliced flowers that lies; And winking Mary-buds begin To ope their golden eyes: With every thing that pretty is, My lady sweet, arise: Arise, arise.

Listen! The lark sings at heaven's gate, and the sun god begins to rise, watering his horses at flowers shaped like cups. The marigolds open their golden eyes. Everything beautiful calls for my lady to wake up.

_Cloten's musicians sing a dawn song to persuade Imogen to rise and receive his courtship._

> His meanest garment, That ever hath but clipp'd his body, is dearer In my respect than all the hairs above thee, Were they all made such men.

The cheapest piece of clothing that ever touched Posthumus's body is more valuable to me than every hair on your head, even if each hair were a man like you.

_Imogen insults Cloten by declaring that Posthumus's lowest garment is worth more than Cloten's entire being._

## Links

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