[The World of Arts]

Cymbeline - A Royal Court feud

Gwen Herat

DRAMA: Based in Britain and Italy, Cymbeline is a neo-tragedy that Shakespeare attempts to disentangle after creating it as a complicated play. To begin with, the main characters are intertwined in a family that is focused in different criminal elements, starting from the Royal Court.

Cymbeline is the king of Britain but in a lesser title role (like Julius Caesar). His Queen who is nameless (why on earth Shakespeare failed to name her). She defies Rome, so much out of her character but remains to be the evil step-mother. She dies in horror, contrary to her mother, Imogen is the soul of beauty honour and faith.

Cloten is the Queen’s son who has only one happy moment when he defies Caius Lucius. Often rejected by Imogen, Caius listens to music he does not like and is decapitated in a conflict with Guidearius.

Though Posthumus is Imogen’s husband, he has but a very insignificant role to play and is weary. Belarius is the grand old man of wild Wales but with the quality of Kent. Guidearius and Arviragos are the two ‘princely boys’ while Ichimo in a natural conspirer. They together with more characters, start an endless tirade.

One would describe Cymbeline as a cruel father and along with a false step-mother and a foolish suitor showering his hopes on a wedded lady. This is the gist of the story, narrated to reach its climax in crescendo.

Shakespeare is bold and upright as he weaves his characters. I have always maintained his female characters to be treacherous, murderous, dishonest, suicidal, homicidal and the Queen is no different.

The King of Britain has an evil second wife who wishes to see her son, Cloten marry Cymbeline’s daughter, Imogen. However, Imogen against her father’s wishes marries Posthumus Leonatus who is banished. But before parting, he gives Imogen a bracelet.

While in Rome, Iachimo beasts to the angry Posthumus that Imogen is no good. Later, in Britain he arranges himself to be secreted in a trunk in her bedroom and steals her bracelet. Posthumus who is persuaded, vows to be revengeful on Imogen. Writing to her to meet him at Milfor Haven, he orders his servant Pisanio to kill her on the journey.

Rome demands from Britain a tribute which the King refuses. Pisanio, still faithful to the bewildered Imogen, Persuades her to disguise herself as a boy and seek the invading Roman General. Losing herself in Wales, she is sheltered under the name of Fidel by a long-banished Lord Belarius who calls himself Morgan.

They together with two youths who are in reality, the sons of the King (and Imogen’s brothers) stolen in infancy and brought up in a mountain cave. Much weary Imogen, takes a sleeping drug that gives the appearance of death.

Cloten in the guise of Posthumus, has followed her with evil intent but one of the youths, meets him and kills him. Returning, the brothers and Belarius find ‘Fidel’ Imogen dead.

When she wakes alone, she mistakes Cloten’s headless body to be her husband-Posthumus. Outraged with grief, she joins the Roman General whose forces are ready to attack Cymbeline.

The courage of Belarius and the princes wins the battle for Britain. All come at length before the King and he bases on the revelations of all, swiftly resoves the plot. There is happiness for all other than the dead Queen. Magnanimously, Cymbeline submits to Rome and even Iachimo is pardoned. He had fought with the Romans. Imogen and Posthumus are reunited.

Cymbeline:

‘To all our subjects. Set we forward; let

A Roman and a British ensign wave.

Friendly together; so thought,

Lads-town march

And in the temple of great Jupiter,

Our peace we’ll ratify; seal it with feats,

Set on there. Never was a war did cease

Ere bloody hands were wash’d with such a peace.’

..................................

<< Artscope Main Page