Cymbeline · Chapter
Scene VI explained
Imogen, disguised as the boy Fidele, arrives exhausted and hungry at a cave in Wales.
What happens
Imogen, disguised as the boy Fidele, arrives exhausted and hungry at a cave in Wales. She encounters Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus, who welcome her warmly. Imogen is struck by their virtue and wishes she could be their companion, lamenting Posthumus's perceived falsehood.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Disguise
Imogen's disguise as Fidele allows her to navigate the wilderness and be accepted by the cave dwellers, highlighting the theme of hidden identity.
Nature vs. Court
The cave dwellers' simple, virtuous life contrasts with the corruption of the court. Imogen praises their integrity over courtly 'nothing-gift of differing multitudes.'
Characters to notice
- Imogen
Disguised as Fidele, she is weary and hungry, seeking Milford Haven. She reflects on the hardships of a man's life and the virtue of the cave dwellers.
- Belarius
He leads the group, recognizes Imogen's distress, and offers hospitality. He is impressed by her appearance, calling her an 'angel' or 'earthly paragon.'
- Guiderius
He is weary from hunting but welcomes Imogen, jokingly saying he would woo her if she were a woman. He expresses a desire to help her.
- Arviragus
He is weak with toil but strong in appetite. He welcomes Imogen as a brother and offers comfort.
Key passages
“I see a man's life is a tedious one: I have tired myself, and for two nights together Have made the ground my bed.”
Imogen reflects on the hardship of living as a man, having slept on the ground for two nights.
Imogen's soliloquy on the difficulties of her disguise and journey.
“Great men, That had a court no bigger than this cave, That did attend themselves and had the virtue Which their own conscience seal'd them—laying by That nothing-gift of differing multitudes— Could not out-peer these twain.”
Imogen thinks that even great men in a court as small as this cave, who rely on their own virtue rather than public opinion, could not surpass these two brothers.
Imogen praises the virtue of Guiderius and Arviragus, contrasting it with courtly flattery.