Scene V explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Forgiveness and Reconciliation

  Cymbeline forgives all, including Posthumus and the Romans, and peace is established between Britain and Rome.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  The Queen's seeming love and loyalty are revealed as treachery; Imogen's disguise as Fidele hides her true identity; Posthumus's rags conceal his noble deeds.

• Providence and Fate

  The soothsayer interprets the prophecy, revealing the divine plan that reunites the family and brings peace.

• Identity and Disguise

  Imogen remains disguised as Fidele; Belarius and the princes are revealed as Cymbeline's sons; Posthumus is identified as the poor soldier.

Characters to notice

• Cymbeline

  Honors Belarius and the princes, learns of the Queen's death and treachery, forgives all, and agrees to peace with Rome.

• Belarius

  Reveals his origins as a gentleman from Cambria, is knighted by Cymbeline for his valor in battle.

• Guiderius

  Knighted alongside Arviragus, later revealed as one of Cymbeline's lost sons.

• Arviragus

  Knighted alongside Guiderius, later revealed as one of Cymbeline's lost sons.

• Pisanio

  Reports no trace of the poor soldier, later defends himself against Imogen's accusation of poisoning, explaining the box came from the Queen.

• Cornelius

  Reports the Queen's death and her confessions, reveals he gave a sleeping potion instead of poison.

• Iachimo

  Confesses his wager with Posthumus, his deceit in Imogen's chamber, and the false proof he brought to Rome.

• Posthumus Leonatus

  Revealed as the poor soldier, confesses to ordering Imogen's death, strikes her, and later forgives Iachimo.

• Imogen

  Disguised as Fidele, reveals herself to Posthumus, accuses Pisanio of poisoning, and is reconciled with her father and husband.

• Caius Lucius

  Roman prisoner who requests ransom for his page (Imogen), later participates in the peace agreement.

Key passages

• “First, she confess'd she never loved you, only Affected greatness got by you, not you: Married your royalty, was wife to your place; Abhorr'd your person.”

  She admitted she never loved you, only the power and status you provided; she married your crown, not you, and despised you as a person.

  Cornelius reports the Queen's dying confession of her true feelings toward Cymbeline.

• “Your daughter, whom she bore in hand to love With such integrity, she did confess Was as a scorpion to her sight; whose life, But that her flight prevented it, she had Ta'en off by poison.”

  She pretended to love your daughter sincerely, but confessed she saw Imogen as a scorpion and would have poisoned her if she hadn't fled.

  Cornelius reveals the Queen's murderous intent toward Imogen.

• “I am Posthumus, That kill'd thy daughter:—villain-like, I lie— That caused a lesser villain than myself, A sacrilegious thief, to do't: the temple Of virtue was she; yea, and she herself.”

  I am Posthumus, who killed your daughter—though I lie like a villain—I caused a lesser villain to do it; she was a temple of virtue itself.

  Posthumus confesses his guilt in ordering Imogen's death, calling himself a villain.

• “The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline, Personates thee: and thy lopp'd branches point Thy two sons forth; who, by Belarius stol'n, For many years thought dead, are now revived, To the majestic cedar join'd, whose issue Promises Britain peace and plenty.”

  The tall cedar represents you, King Cymbeline, and the cut-off branches are your two sons, stolen by Belarius and thought dead, now restored to you, promising peace and prosperity for Britain.

  The soothsayer interprets the prophecy, revealing the identity of Cymbeline's lost sons.