# Scene II explained — Cymbeline

> Chapter companion for Cymbeline by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Imogen, disguised as Fidele, stays behind at the cave while Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus go hunting. Cloten arrives seeking the runaways and is killed by Guiderius. Imogen takes the Queen's poison, believing it medicine, and falls into a death-like sleep. The brothers find her and mourn, planning to bury her beside their mother Euriphile. Cloten's body is discovered by the Roman general Lucius, who finds Imogen alive and takes her into his service.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Imogen's disguise as Fidele conceals her true identity; the brothers mistake her death-like sleep for actual death; Cloten's clothes falsely signify his status.

### Identity and Disguise

Imogen adopts the alias Fidele; the princes are unaware of their royal birth; Cloten is unrecognized by the brothers.

### Nature vs. Court

The cave-dwellers display innate nobility and virtue compared to the corrupt court; Imogen notes the kindness of the 'savage' brothers versus courtly deceit.

## Character check-ins

### Imogen

Disguised as Fidele, she feigns illness to stay behind, takes the Queen's poison, and is found seemingly dead by the brothers; later discovered alive by Lucius.

### Belarius

Leads the hunting party, observes the nobility of the princes, and later mourns Imogen's apparent death.

### Guiderius

Stays behind with Imogen, kills Cloten in a fight, and mourns Fidele's death.

### Arviragus

Expresses deep affection for Fidele, mourns her death, and plans to sing at her grave.

### Cloten

Arrives at the cave seeking the runaways, is killed by Guiderius, and his body is later found by Lucius.

### Caius Lucius

Roman general who discovers Imogen and Cloten's body, takes Imogen into his service.

## Key lines

> Our courtiers say all's savage but at court: Experience, O, thou disprovest report!

Courtiers claim everything outside court is barbaric, but my experience proves that wrong.

_Imogen reflects on the contrast between courtly prejudice and the genuine kindness of the cave-dwellers._

> I have sent Cloten's clotpoll down the stream, In embassy to his mother: his body's hostage For his return.

I've thrown Cloten's head into the river as a message to his mother, and his body is here as a pledge.

_Guiderius describes disposing of Cloten's head after killing him._

> The bird is dead That we have made so much on.

The bird we cherished so much is dead.

_Arviragus laments finding Imogen seemingly dead._

> Some falls are means the happier to arise.

Some downfalls are actually opportunities for a happier outcome.

_Lucius comforts Imogen, suggesting that misfortune can lead to better fortune._

## Links

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