Shakespeare’s Cymbeline is a story of love, hatred, and betrayal. The main character, Imogen, is hurt by all of these emotions and actions. Not just by one person, by many throughout the play. These would include her father Cymbeline, lover, Posthumus, an Italian named Giacomo, the Queen, Posthumus’ servant, Pisanio, and the Queen’s son, Cloten. The following paragraphs include examples from the play and explain the ways in which Imogen was abused and by who. Among the characters listed, one would believe Cymbeline to be the last person who would abuse Imogen in any way.
Particularly because he is her father. Although, Cymbeline seems to be one of the first to be against her in any way. Even though the only thing he is really against is her love for the poor, yet dear, Posthumus. This is shown in Cymbeline’s words to Posthumus. Thou basest thing, avoid hence, from my sight! If after this command thou freight the court With thy unworthiness, thou diest. Away, Thou’rt poison to my blood. (I. I. 126) According to the King and his Queen, her son, Cloten should be the rightful man for Imogen.
Not only are they sold on the idea, but Cloten is s well. He tries every second he can to, in some way, try and do something to look great in front of her. His life, sadly, revolves around trying to do what his mother thinks is right and winning Imogen’s affections. Much to his dismay she is not only annoyed, but uninterested. Giacomo is the next in line to hurt Imogen. With the bet he made with Posthumus in mind, he tries to woo his way into Imogen’s heart and her bedroom. He is a very sly and rude character who will do whatever he can to get what he wants.
He speaks to Imogen while in her bedroom to try and onvince her that he is the better of the two men. “… I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure, More noble than that runagate to your bed, And will continue fast to your affection, Still close as sure” (I. 6. 136). Posthumus, on the other hand, truly loves and respects Cymbeline. He feels so strongly of his lover’s trust that he bet the ring Imogen gave him to Giacomo. The deal was that if Giacomo could win her over and sleep one night with her, he gets the ring. Being the sly person that Giacomo is, he lies.
Because of his sturdy evidence, Posthumus believes him and ives him the ring. Enraged by the fact that his loving wife-to-be has betrayed him, Posthumus orders his servant, Pisanio, to have her killed. Another form of abuse by Posthumus towards Imogen was when she was disguised as a man. Imogen was running to embrace Posthumus and he thought Imogen was getting in the way and struck her down to the ground. The Queen was one who not only wanted to strike Imogen down, but strike her dead. Although, throughout her many attempts, does not succeed.
At the end of her play, right before her death, she tells Cornelius, the octor, to inform the King of her hatred toward his daughter. Your daughter, whom she bore in hand to love With such integrity, she did confess Was a scorpion to her sight, whose life, but that her flight prevented it, she had Ta’en off by poison. (V. 4. 43) The Queen may have wanted to strike her dead many times. But Pisanio did, or so some thought. The Queen gave him a potion telling him that it will make one feel better. Since Imogen was so sad, he gave this wonderful potion to her.
Although, it was a potion of just the opposite mixture. It put Imogen in a dead-like state and made her brothers mistakenly believe that she was dead and they buried her. After she awoke, Pisanio knew about it. Although, he explained to her the misguided words of the Queen. Throughout Cymbeline misguided words are all Imogen hears from everyone. Not only from her father, Cymbeline, but also Cloten, Giacomo, Posthumus, the Queen, and Pisanio. Yet, despite the rude comments and actions that she is forced to endure, Imogen withstands it all. Not only for her lover, Posthumus, but for herself.
