Cymbeline · Chapter
Scene IV explained
Posthumus, imprisoned in Britain, welcomes death as a release and prays for forgiveness.
What happens
Posthumus, imprisoned in Britain, welcomes death as a release and prays for forgiveness. He falls asleep and is visited by the ghosts of his father, mother, and brothers, who appeal to Jupiter on his behalf. Jupiter descends, rebukes them, and prophesies that Posthumus's miseries will end when a lion's whelp is embraced by a piece of tender air and a stately cedar revives. Posthumus wakes, reads the prophecy, and is summoned to the king, believing he is called to freedom.
Themes in this chapter
Providence and Fate
Jupiter's prophecy and the ghosts' appeal underscore the theme of divine providence guiding Posthumus's trials toward a destined resolution.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Posthumus's repentance and plea for forgiveness from the gods set the stage for eventual reconciliation.
Characters to notice
- Posthumus Leonatus
Imprisoned and awaiting death, he welcomes bondage as a path to liberty, repents for Imogen's sake, and receives a prophetic vision from Jupiter.
- Sicilius Leonatus
Appears as a ghost leading the family spirits, pleading with Jupiter for justice for his son Posthumus.
- Jupiter
Descends in thunder on an eagle to rebuke the ghosts and deliver a prophecy of Posthumus's eventual happiness and Britain's peace.
- First Gaoler
Engages in darkly comic banter with Posthumus about death and hanging, then receives orders to release him.
Key passages
“Most welcome, bondage! for thou art a way, I think, to liberty: yet am I better Than one that's sick o' the gout; since he had rather Groan so in perpetuity than be cured By the sure physician, death, who is the key To unbar these locks.”
I welcome imprisonment as a path to freedom; I am better off than a gout sufferer who would rather endure pain forever than be cured by death, which unlocks all bonds.
Posthumus reflects on death as a release from suffering.
“Whom best I love I cross; to make my gift, The more delay'd, delighted.”
Those I love most I afflict, so that my gift, when delayed, brings greater joy.
Jupiter explains that hardship is a form of divine love.
“When as a lion's whelp shall, to himself unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced by a piece of tender air; and when from a stately cedar shall be lopped branches, which, being dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the old stock and freshly grow; then shall Posthumus end his miseries, Britain be fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty.”
When a lion's cub unknowingly finds and is embraced by a piece of tender air, and when branches cut from a great cedar revive and rejoin the old tree, then Posthumus's suffering will end and Britain will prosper.
Jupiter's cryptic prophecy foretells the resolution of the play.