# Scene VII explained — Cymbeline

> Chapter companion for Cymbeline by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

In Rome, two senators and tribunes discuss the emperor's decree to levy troops for war against Britain, appointing Lucius as proconsul and general of the forces.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Political Conflict

The scene depicts the Roman political and military machinery mobilizing for war against Britain, highlighting the conflict between empires.

## Character check-ins

### Caius Lucius

Appointed proconsul and general of the forces against Britain.

## Key lines

> This is the tenour of the emperor’s writ: That since the common men are now in action ’Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians, and that the legions now in Gallia are Full weak to undertake our wars against The fall’n-off Britons, that we do incite The gentry to this business.

The emperor's decree states that because the regular soldiers are already fighting the Pannonians and Dalmatians, and the legions in Gaul are too weak to handle the rebellious Britons, we must call upon the nobility to take up this task.

_The senators explain the need to recruit from the gentry due to existing military commitments._

## Links

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