Authors: William Shakespeare
The Queen asks a doctor, Cornelius, to bring her deadly poisons which she claims she will use on “such creatures as / We count not worth the hanging” to study their “virtues and effects.” Suspicious of her intents, he instead gives her a restorative potion that produces the temporary appearance of death in those who take it, but does no harm. The Queen asks Pisanio to persuade Innogen to marry Cloten as Posthumus can never return. Knowing he would never really betray his master, and that he secretly champions Posthumus to Innogen, she drops the box containing the potion on the floor, which Pisanio picks up. She tells him it is a powerful cordial, and that he can keep it, revealing when he exits that she hopes he will take it and die so that Innogen will be alone and easier to manipulate. Pisanio re-enters and exchanges ostensible pleasantries with the Queen, though when she leaves he reveals he will “choke” himself before acting on her behalf.
Innogen is cursing her situation when Pisanio brings in Iachimo, introducing him as a “gentleman of Rome” who brings letters from Posthumus. She welcomes him and in an aside he expresses amazement at her beauty, doubting his ability to win the wager if her “mind” is as “rare” as her outward form, but resolves to affect “Boldness.”
He begins to speak cryptically about Posthumus’ judgment being horribly skewed, and, when pushed on what he means, eventually claims that Posthumus has all but forgotten Innogen, and lives like a libertine in Rome, whoring, drinking, and laughing at the foolishness of staid, faithful men who willingly submit to “assurèd bondage.” He urges her to take revenge by likewise being unfaithful, offering his own services to that end. Innogen is disgusted, and calls Pisanio to have him thrown out, saying that if he were truly noble he would have “told this tale for virtue, not / For such an end thou seek’st.” Iachimo, realizing he is beaten, begs forgiveness and claims he did it only to test her honor, acting on behalf of “the worthiest sir that ever / Country called his.” Innogen accepts his apology, and welcomes him again. He says that he must return to Italy in the morning and will carry letters to Posthumus for her, asking only that she keep a trunk containing a valuable gift for the emperor safely in her chamber for him overnight. She agrees.
The boorish Cloten bemoans his bad luck in a game of bowls, in which he also struck a bystander on the head who berated him for “swearing.” The First Lord again flatters Cloten, while the Second mocks him behind his back, and the former tells of “an Italian” come to court. Cloten resolves to seek the stranger out and “win” from him the money he has lost at bowls. In a soliloquy the Second Lord questions how such a crafty person as the Queen could have spawned such an “ass,” and prays for Innogen to be reunited with Posthumus and to become queen.
Innogen goes to sleep in her bedchamber, into which Iachimo’s trunk has been moved. As she lies sleeping, Iachimo emerges from the trunk and in a long, sensuous soliloquy he notes the features of her body and of the room as he moves silently about, writing all down in a notebook. An uncomfortable tension is sustained as to
whether he will rape her; he delicately kisses her lips at one point, and likens himself to “Our Tarquin,” a famous ravisher from classical antiquity about whom Shakespeare wrote in
The Rape of Lucrece
. He notes “A mole cinque-spotted” on her left breast, claiming it will act as a “voucher” of absolute proof when he tells Posthumus that he succeeded in seducing her. For further assurance, he removes from her wrist the bracelet given to her by Posthumus before creeping back into the trunk, acknowledging that she is a “heavenly angel” and that he brings “hell” into her presence.
Cloten arrives at Innogen’s window with musicians who sing for her. Cymbeline and the Queen enter and urge him to keep trying to win Innogen’s love as she cannot cling to Posthumus’ memory forever. A Messenger arrives to inform them that ambassadors from Rome, including Caius Lucius, whom Cymbeline describes as a “worthy fellow,” have arrived at court. They leave Cloten to his wooing; he knocks at Innogen’s door. One of her ladies-in-waiting answers, and he attempts to bribe her to speak well of him to Innogen, but she refuses. Innogen enters and tells him not to waste his time. He tells her that Posthumus is a lowborn peasant who has no business being married to a princess, but she retorts with a string of insults, saying that Posthumus’ “meanest garment” is worth more than him. This cuts him deeply, but Innogen, realizing in panic that she has lost her bracelet, no longer notices him. She sends Pisanio to go and tell Dorothy, her “woman,” to look for it. Cloten vows to be revenged.
Posthumus tells Philario he has no doubt Iachimo will return a defeated man. He thanks Philario for his generous hospitality, which he cannot at present repay. Philario tells him his “goodness and … company” are payment enough, and notes that the Roman ambassadors have been sent to Britain to demand the payment of a tribute
that has been neglected for some time. Posthumus predicts that the Britons will refuse, and that they are ready and able to fight Rome. Iachimo returns, giving Posthumus Innogen’s letters, and boasting that he has won the wager. Posthumus remains unconvinced and demands proof. Iachimo describes the tapestries and carvings in her room, which troubles Posthumus, though he still argues that this is information Iachimo could easily have acquired without sleeping with Innogen. Iachimo ups the stakes by producing the bracelet, and Posthumus becomes extremely agitated, though he still asks for some proof that he has seen her body intimately. Iachimo describes the mole on her breast, and Posthumus flies into a rage, gives Iachimo the ring he has falsely won in their wager, and storms out. Philario resolves to follow Posthumus to prevent him harming himself, and implores Iachimo to follow. As they leave, Posthumus re-enters, and in a long, violent soliloquy, he denounces the falsehood of women and swears vengeance on Innogen.
In Cymbeline’s court Caius Lucius is received to deliver his message. He reminds Cymbeline of a tribute from Julius Caesar’s time of “three thousand pounds” that Cymbeline’s uncle had agreed to pay yearly to his Roman conquerors, which has been “lately … left untendered.” The Queen and Cloten rudely express defiance and refuse to pay, while Cymbeline more respectfully echoes the sentiment, saying that he holds Augustus Caesar, under whom he gained much tutelage as a young man, in high regard, but that to “shake off” the yoke Rome has imposed “Becomes a warlike people.” Lucius pronounces that Rome will attack Britain with “fury not to be resisted” when he conveys the message back, which Cymbeline accepts, offering Lucius gracious hospitality until his return.
Pisanio enters reading a letter from Posthumus, which tells of Innogen’s “adultery.” He cannot believe it, and is convinced that some “false Italian” has corrupted Posthumus’ mind with lies. The letter
instructs him to murder Innogen. He is to give her another letter urging her to meet Posthumus at Milford Haven, where, far away from the court, Pisanio will have his opportunity. Not knowing what else to do, he begins to carry out Posthumus’ command, giving Innogen the letter that falsely tells of Posthumus’ arrival. She is overjoyed, and tells Pisanio to get her a “riding-suit, no costlier than would fit / A franklin’s housewife,” intending to leave straightaway. Pisanio urges caution but she will not be dissuaded.
In Wales, Belarius, an old shepherd, emerges with his two sons, Polydore and Cadwal, from the cave in which they live and talks to them of the bounty and goodness of nature. They, however, complain that they have never seen anything of the world, and although Belarius warns them of the corruption and crime of the city, they still see their wilderness home as more prison than pleasure garden. Belarius tells them that the world is full of treachery, and that he used to be a noble in Cymbeline’s court until he was banished, falsely accused by “two villains” of being confederate with the Romans. He sends them up to the mountains to hunt for deer, and in a soliloquy reveals that the young men are in fact Cymbeline’s sons, whom he kidnapped to “bar” Cymbeline “of succession” in revenge for the loss of his own estate. He reveals that their real names are Guiderius and Arviragus, and expresses amazement that their royal natures shine through them, although they know nothing of their birth. He tells us that they know him only as Morgan, and that they took their wet nurse, Euriphile, whose grave they “honour” daily, for their mother.
Innogen and Pisanio arrive at Milford Haven. There is no sign of Posthumus, and Innogen, seeing signs of distress in Pisanio’s face, asks him what is going on. Pisanio shows her the letter accusing her of adultery, at which she weeps and expresses great anger at Posthumus for believing her capable of such a thing. She then tells Pisanio to do as he has been instructed, as she no longer wants to live anyway,
but he refuses. She asks why he has bothered bringing her all this way if he doesn’t intend to fulfill his command, and he tells her he has done it merely “to win time” in order to devise a plan. He suggests that they send Posthumus “Some bloody sign” that she is dead—as in fact he was instructed to do—the proof of which will be bolstered by the fact that she is missing from court. She asks him where she will live in the interim, refusing his suggestion to return home in secret lest she be found by Cloten, and he advises her to disguise herself as a boy using the clothes he has brought with him and offer her service to Caius Lucius who “comes to Milford Haven / Tomorrow.” That way, she will be able to go with him back to Italy where she will be near Posthumus and able to keep track of his movements. She enthusiastically agrees. Pisanio says he must hurry back to court so that he is not suspected of her disappearance, and gives her the Queen’s potion, which he believes is a restorative cordial that she can take if she becomes ill.
Cymbeline, the Queen, and Cloten bid farewell to Caius Lucius, and Cymbeline promises him a safe conduct to Milford Haven. With Lucius gone, Cymbeline advises that the British powers be amassed as Lucius’ army in Gaul (France) is growing by the day and will soon attack. He then asks for Innogen, who has not been seen for days, and sends a Messenger to her chamber. The Messenger returns with the news that Innogen cannot be made to answer her door, and the Queen says that she had almost forgotten Innogen’s request to be left alone to grieve for Posthumus. Cymbeline and Cloten rush to find her, noting also that Pisanio has not been seen for some time. The Queen in an aside hopes this is due to him having taken her potion. Cloten returns to confirm that Innogen is missing, saying that Cymbeline is in a rage, which the Queen, in another aside, hopes will hasten his death. Pisanio enters and Cloten threateningly questions him over Innogen’s disappearance. Assuming that Lucius has enough headway on them and that Innogen will be safely in his service in her disguise by the time Cloten gets there, Pisanio shows Cloten the letter
requesting Innogen to meet Posthumus at Milford Haven. Cloten gives Pisanio money and tells him to bring him some of Posthumus’ clothes. He decides to follow them to Milford and be revenged on them both by killing Posthumus and raping Innogen while wearing the “meanest” garments she insultingly compared him with in Act 2 Scene 3. Pisanio delivers the clothes, but silently curses Cloten and wishes him to fail.
Innogen, in her boy’s disguise, hungry and weary, arrives at Belarius’ cave. She calls aloud, but, receiving no answer, draws her sword and enters. Belarius and the two boys return with their catch from the hunt, and see her inside. She begs them not to harm her, saying her name is Fidele—the faithful one—and that she would have died had she not trespassed on their home to eat and get warm. Belarius welcomes the young boy (as he thinks), and Guiderius and Arviragus (Innogen’s brothers, unbeknownst to any of them) immediately feel a strong bond of kinship with her that they are not able to explain, as she does with them. They go in to eat and to hear her story.
A Roman Senator advises a Tribune that the common soldiery is stretched very thin with other foreign wars, and so hands responsibility for the Briton wars over to the gentry. Lucius, who was due to return, is made general and given command of the regiments in Wales.
Cloten arrives in Milford Haven, stating himself every bit as good as Posthumus, whose head he swears to cut off “within this hour.” He also plans to rape Innogen, confident that his mother will be able to excuse his conduct to Cymbeline.
Lines 1–228:
Innogen complains of feeling ill and decides to stay behind in the cave while Belarius and the boys go out to hunt. She takes Pisanio’s potion and goes in to rest. As the others set out for the hunt, Cloten enters. Belarius recognizes him, and, fearing he comes with soldiers to arrest them as outlaws, he takes Arviragus to scout for enemy troops, leaving Cloten to Guiderius. Cloten rudely asks Guiderius who he is, telling him that he is the Queen’s son, but Guiderius greets him with contempt, at which Cloten draws his sword. They exit fighting, and Belarius and Arviragus return having found nobody else around. Guiderius re-enters carrying Cloten’s head, and Belarius despairs that they will be hunted down for this act of treason. The boys remain unmoved, ready to face any danger that may come. Guiderius goes off to throw Cloten’s head in the creek behind their cave, while Arviragus goes to tend to Innogen/Fidele. Belarius comments again in an aside how tenderness and bravery combine in their natures.
Lines 229–397:
Arviragus, within, plays upon an instrument last played at Euriphile’s funeral, and enters carrying Innogen, whom, under the effects of the Queen’s potion, they believe dead. They all grieve bitterly for the loss, and resolve to bury her along with Cloten, who, Belarius urges, was still a prince and deserves a proper interment. After they have spoken a moving funeral lament, they strew the bodies with flowers and leave. Innogen awakes, the potion having at last worn off, to find herself next to Cloten’s headless body. In a long soliloquy she struggles to reorient herself and ascertain what has happened. Seeing Posthumus’ clothes on Cloten’s body, she believes she is lying next to her dead husband, and suspects Pisanio of foul play. She embraces the body.