Cymbeline · Chapter
Scene I explained
Cloten, dressed in Posthumus's garments, arrives near the cave of Belarius in Wales, determined to kill Posthumus, rape Imogen, and cut Posthumus's clothes to pieces.
What happens
Cloten, dressed in Posthumus's garments, arrives near the cave of Belarius in Wales, determined to kill Posthumus, rape Imogen, and cut Posthumus's clothes to pieces. He boasts of his physical and social superiority over Posthumus, trusting Pisanio's map to lead him to the meeting place.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Cloten wears Posthumus's garments to deceive Imogen, but his true villainous nature is starkly contrasted with the noble appearance he tries to adopt.
Identity and Disguise
Cloten's use of Posthumus's clothing is a form of disguise meant to facilitate his violent plans, highlighting the theme of mistaken or assumed identity.
Characters to notice
- Cloten
Cloten enters near the cave, wearing Posthumus's clothes and plotting murder and rape.
Key passages
“How fit his garments serve me!”
How well these clothes fit me!
Cloten admires how Posthumus's clothes fit him, part of his plan to impersonate Posthumus.
“Posthumus, thy head, which now is growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour be off; thy mistress enforced; thy garments cut to pieces before thy face”
Posthumus, your head will be cut off within the hour; your mistress will be raped; your clothes will be cut to pieces in front of you.
Cloten outlines his violent intentions against Posthumus and Imogen.