Imogen Discovered in the Cave

Cymbeline

William Shakespearec. 1610
ShakespeareGruelingRomanceEnglishMedium · 110 pages
Influence11th pct
Popularity16th pct
Where it ranks
#173of 194Overall#32of 38Shakespeare

Read this if you…

  • are trying to read all of shakespeare (bottom of the barrel)
  • like the plot of a guy betting he can sleep with another guys' wife

Skip this if you…

  • haven't already read ALL the classic shakespeare plays
  • aren't willing to go slow, read notes, look up analyses of famous passages (only way to "get" shakespeare)
  • foolishly think shakespeare is overrated

Why It Matters

One of Shakespeare's most plot-heavy late romances, a wild story running from Britain to Rome to a cave in Wales that somehow ties itself off in a cascade of recognitions and reconciliations. It's an underperformed gem with some of his finest verse, including the song 'Fear no more the heat o' the sun.' This is Shakespeare at his most experimental, throwing tragedy, comedy, and fairy tale in together.

The Groblé Take

Kinda fun scheming, the decapitation was a nice touch. But none of the characters were THAT interesting

Connections

Where to go next

Built Onwhat came beforeCymbelineThe DecameronMetamorphoses

  • The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. Cymbeline built on it. - The bet that drives *Cymbeline* is Boccaccio's, lifted nearly whole - Day 2, Story 9 of *The Decameron* gives Shakespeare the wager on a wife's fidelity, the trunk smuggled into her bedroom, the intimate mole "under her breast" produced as false proof - Reading the tale first lets you watch Shakespeare graft a romance's forgiveness and reunion onto a sharper, crueler medieval story
  • Metamorphoses by Ovid. Cymbeline built on it. - *Cymbeline* names its source out loud: the page Imogen falls asleep on is the Tereus-and-Philomela tale from Ovid's *Metamorphoses* - Read Ovid's version first and Iachimo's intrusion turns sinister before he lifts a finger — Shakespeare casts him as Tereus, the rapist who silenced his victim - The dog-eared leaf 'where Philomel gave up' is the whole scene's omen, and only Ovid supplies its weight
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Gallery

Depicted in Art

Belarius and the boys discover Imogen lying apparently dead in their cave after she has taken the potion.

George Dawe, 1809

Imogen sleeps in her canopied bed seen from Iachimo's vantage as he memorizes the room.

Wilhelm Ferdinand Souchon, 1872

Belarius and his sons find the disguised Imogen inside the cave, eating their food.

Edward Penny, 1770

Iachimo produces the stolen bracelet before Posthumus and the assembled men to prove his false claim on Imogen's chastity.

Richard Westall, 1796

Imogen sleeps on the ground while Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus stand over her, mourning her as dead.

James Smetham, 1874

Portrait of Ellen Terry in costume as Imogen for Henry Irving's Lyceum production, gown designed by Alma-Tadema himself.

Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1896

Editions

Recommended Editions

#1Top Pick

Folger Shakespeare Library

2003

Folger's the readable one. Text on one page, notes on the facing page, written in plain English instead of textbook-speak. Catches every word and reference you'd otherwise google, without breaking the scene to do it.

Buy on Bookshop
#2

SparkNotes (No Fear Shakespeare)

2003

#3

Arden Shakespeare

2017

$15.95Buy

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Deep Dive

What It's About

Spoiler warning

This summary gives away plot details.

Notable Quotes

“Fear no more the heat o' the sun, Nor the furious winter's rages; Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages: Golden lads and girls all must, As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.”

— Guiderius, the funeral dirge for Fidele, Act IV, scene 2

“Fear no more the heat o' the sun, nor the furious winter's rages.”

— Guiderius and Arviragus, Cymbeline

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