# Scene III explained — Cymbeline

> Chapter companion for Cymbeline by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

In the Welsh mountains, Belarius, living in exile with Cymbeline's kidnapped sons Guiderius and Arviragus, reflects on their royal nature and his past banishment. The brothers express discontent with their rustic life, longing for the wider world, while Belarius extols the virtues of their simple existence over the corruptions of court.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature vs. Court

Belarius contrasts the honest freedom of cave life with the corruptions and dangers of court, while the princes yearn for the wider world.

### Identity and Disguise

The princes live under false identities as Belarius's sons, unaware of their true royal lineage.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Belarius appears as a simple cave-dweller but is actually a wronged nobleman; the princes seem low-born but are heirs to the throne.

## Character check-ins

### Belarius

Exiled nobleman living in a cave, raising Cymbeline's stolen sons under the alias Morgan.

### Guiderius

Cymbeline's elder son, raised as Polydore, unaware of his royal birth, chafes at the limitations of cave life.

### Arviragus

Cymbeline's younger son, raised as Cadwal, shares his brother's restlessness and curiosity about the outside world.

### Cymbeline

Mentioned as the king who unjustly banished Belarius and is unaware his sons are alive.

### Euriphile

Deceased nurse of the princes, honored daily by Guiderius and Arviragus as their mother.

## Key lines

> How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature!

It is extremely difficult to suppress innate nobility and character.

_Belarius observes that the princes' royal nature shines through despite their humble upbringing._

> This life is nobler than attending for a check, Richer than doing nothing for a bauble, Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk.

This simple life is more honorable than serving at court for mere wages, more fulfilling than idly chasing trinkets, and more dignified than wearing finery one cannot afford.

_Belarius extols the virtues of their rustic existence over the corruptions of courtly life._

## Links

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