Imogen's Monologue from Act 3, Scene 4 of Cymbeline

In Act 3, Scene 4 of William Shakespeare's Cymbeline, Imogen delivers a poignant monologue upon discovering that her husband, Posthumus, has ordered her death, mistakenly believing she has been unfaithful.

Synopsis:

Imogen, the daughter of King Cymbeline, has secretly married Posthumus Leonatus, a man of humble origins. Their union leads to Posthumus's banishment. While in Italy, Posthumus is deceived into believing that Imogen has been unfaithful. He sends his servant, Pisanio, back to Britain with orders to kill her. In this scene, Pisanio reveals Posthumus's command to Imogen. Overwhelmed by despair and betrayal, she contemplates her fate and expresses her anguish in this monologue.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

Pisanio has handed Imogen a letter from Posthumus, which she initially believes contains loving words. Instead, she learns of his belief in her infidelity and his directive for Pisanio to kill her. Shocked and heartbroken, Imogen grapples with the gravity of the situation, leading to her impassioned speech.

Original Text:

Why, I must die;
And if I do not by thy hand, thou art
No servant of thy master's. Against self-slaughter
There is a prohibition so divine
That cravens my weak hand. Come, here's my heart—
Something's afore 't. Soft, soft! We'll no defense—
Obedient as the scabbard. What is here?
The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus,
All turned to heresy? Away, away!
Corrupters of my faith, you shall no more
Be stomachers to my heart. Thus may poor fools
Believe false teachers: though those that are betrayed
Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor
Stands in worse case of woe.

Translation of Text into Contemporary Language:

So, I must die; and if you don't kill me, you're not truly serving your master. There's a divine law against suicide that makes me too fearful to do it myself. Here, take my heart—wait, what's this? Letters from my faithful Posthumus, now filled with lies? Away with them! You corrupters of my faith, you will no longer reside close to my heart. This is how innocent people are misled by false teachers: even though the betrayed feel the pain deeply, the betrayer suffers even more.

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words:

  • Cravens: Cowards or makes fearful.

  • Scabbard: A sheath for a sword.

  • Scriptures: Writings or letters.

  • Heresy: Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox doctrine.

  • Stomachers: Garments covering the chest; metaphorically, things close to the heart.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs:

  1. Acceptance of Fate: Why, I must die;
    And if I do not by thy hand, thou art
    No servant of thy master's.
    Imogen acknowledges that she is destined to die and asserts that if Pisanio doesn't carry out the act, he isn't truly loyal to Posthumus.

  2. Rejection of Suicide: Against self-slaughter
    There is a prohibition so divine
    That cravens my weak hand.
    She reflects on the divine prohibition against suicide, admitting it makes her too fearful to take her own life.

  3. Offering Herself: Come, here's my heart—
    Something's afore 't. Soft, soft! We'll no defense—
    Obedient as the scabbard.
    Imogen offers her heart to Pisanio, noting an obstruction (likely the letters) and decides not to resist, comparing herself to a sheath that holds a sword.

  4. Discovery of Letters: What is here?
    The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus,
    All turned to heresy? Away, away!
    Corrupters of my faith, you shall no more
    Be stomachers to my heart.
    She discovers Posthumus's letters, once symbols of his loyalty, now filled with accusations. She discards them, denouncing them as corruptors of her trust.

  5. Reflection on Betrayal: Thus may poor fools
    Believe false teachers: though those that are betrayed
    Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor
    Stands in worse case of woe.
    Imogen muses on how the innocent are misled by deceivers, noting that while the betrayed suffer deeply, the betrayer ultimately faces greater misery.

Journey Keypoints:

  • Hook: Imogen confronts the reality of her impending death.

  • Turning Point: She rejects the notion of suicide due to divine law.

  • Climax: Imogen discovers and discards Posthumus's accusatory letters.

  • Resolution: She reflects on the nature of betrayal and the greater suffering of the betrayer.

Famous or Notable Actors Who Have Played the Role:

  • Helen Mirren: Portrayed Imogen in a 1967 production by the Royal Shakespeare Company, bringing depth to the character's emotional journey.

  • Joan Plowright: Played Imogen in a 1957 production at the Old Vic, delivering a nuanced performance that captured the character's resilience.

  • Martha Henry: Assumed the role in a 1986 production at the Stratford Festival, offering a compelling interpretation of Imogen's strength and vulnerability.

This monologue delves into themes of betrayal, faith, and the moral dilemmas surrounding duty and self-preservation, providing rich material for performance and analysis.