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| Character | Posthumus | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Angry, Persuasive, Depressed, Lamenting, Complaining, Frustrated | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Romance, Drama, Comedy | |
| Description | Posthumus curses women | |
| Location | ACT II, Scene 5 | |
Summary
Cymbeline is Britain's king. His daughter Imogen was supposed to marry Cymbeline's new Queen's son, Cloten. Imogen, however, marries a poor gentleman, Posthumus. When the king finds out he decides to exile Posthumus to Italy and has his daughter locked away. Pisanio, Posthumus loyal servant, remains in England and becomes Imogen's servant.
In Italy Posthumus meets several friends. One of them, Iachimo, argues that all women can be seduced. When Posthumus says that Imogen will never cheat on him, the two make a bet. Iachimo goes to England to try to seduce Imogen. If he succeeds then Posthumus will give him the ring that Imogen gave him as a love token.
In England Iachimo tries to seduce Imogen but she rejects her. He then hides in a trunk in Imogen's room and comes out when she is sleeping. He describes and takes note of all the objects in her room as well as specific details of her body. He also steals her bracelet. This way he will convince Posthumus that he has actually slept with her.
Back in Italy Iachimo shows Posthumus the bracelet and describes details of Imogen's body and her room. Posthumus falls for his scheme and angered, in this monologue, he curses women.
In Italy Posthumus meets several friends. One of them, Iachimo, argues that all women can be seduced. When Posthumus says that Imogen will never cheat on him, the two make a bet. Iachimo goes to England to try to seduce Imogen. If he succeeds then Posthumus will give him the ring that Imogen gave him as a love token.
In England Iachimo tries to seduce Imogen but she rejects her. He then hides in a trunk in Imogen's room and comes out when she is sleeping. He describes and takes note of all the objects in her room as well as specific details of her body. He also steals her bracelet. This way he will convince Posthumus that he has actually slept with her.
Back in Italy Iachimo shows Posthumus the bracelet and describes details of Imogen's body and her room. Posthumus falls for his scheme and angered, in this monologue, he curses women.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Is there no way for men to be but women Must be half-workers? We are all bastards; And that most venerable man which I Did call my father, was I know not where When I was stamp'd; some coiner with his tools Made me a counterfeit: yet my mother seem'd The Dian of that time so doth my wife The nonpareil of this. O, vengeance, vengeance! Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd And pray'd me oft forbearance; did it with A pudency so rosy the sweet view on't Might well have warm'd old Saturn; that I thought her As chaste as unsunn'd snow. O, all the devils! This yellow Iachimo, in an hour,--wast not?-- Or less,--at first?--perchance he spoke not, but, Like a full-acorn'd boar, a German one, Cried 'O!' and mounted; found no opposition But what he look'd for should oppose and she Should from encounter guard. Could I find out The woman's part in me! For there's no motion That tends to vice in man, but I affirm It is the woman's part: be it lying, note it, The woman's; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers; Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers; revenges, hers; Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain, Nice longing, slanders, mutability, All faults that may be named, nay, that hell knows, Why, hers, in part or all; but rather, all; For even to vice They are not constant but are changing still One vice, but of a minute old, for one Not half so old as that. I'll write against them, Detest them, curse them: yet 'tis greater skill In a true hate, to pray they have their will: The very devils cannot plague them better. |
