Shakespeare's Cymbeline Act 4 Scene 1

Cymbeline

Please see the bottom of the page for explanatory notes.

ACT IV SCENE I	Wales: near the cave of Belarius.
	Enter CLOTEN
CLOTEN	I am near to the place where they should meet, if
	Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit his garments
	serve me! Why should his mistress, who was made by
	him that made the tailor, not be fit too? the
	rather--saving reverence of the word--for 'tis said
	a woman's fitness comes by fits. Therein I must
	play the workman. I dare speak it to myself--for it
	is not vain-glory for a man and his glass to confer
	in his own chamber--I mean, the lines of my body are
	as well drawn as his; no less young, more strong,
	not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him in the
	advantage of the time, above him in birth, alike
	conversant in general services, and more remarkable
	in single oppositions: yet this imperceiverant
	thing loves him in my despite. What mortality is!
	Posthumus, thy head, which now is growing upon thy
	shoulders, shall within this hour be off; thy
	mistress enforced; thy garments cut to pieces before
	thy face: and all this done, spurn her home to her
	father; who may haply be a little angry for my so
	rough usage; but my mother, having power of his
	testiness, shall turn all into my commendations. My
	horse is tied up safe: out, sword, and to a sore
	purpose! Fortune, put them into my hand! This is
	the very description of their meeting-place; and
	the fellow dares not deceive me.
	[ Exit.

Cymbeline, Act 4, Scene 2

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Explanatory Notes for Act 4, Scene 1
From Cymbeline. A.W. Verity. Cambridge, University Press.

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Scene I.

3. who; referring to his = 'of him.'

4, 5. saving reverence of the word; an apology for the pun.

11. oppositions, combats.

13. imperceiverant, undiscerning; spelt imperseverant in the original editions. That could only mean, 'not persevering, inconstant'; the last thing that could be said of Imogen!

How to cite the explanatory notes:
Shakespeare, William. Cymbeline. Ed. A.W. Verity. Cambridge, University Press, 1899. Shakespeare Online. 10 Dec. 2013. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/cymbel_4_1.html >.

How to cite the sidebar:
Mabillard, Amanda. Notes on Shakespeare. Shakespeare Online. 10 Dec. 2013. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/cymbel_4_1.html >.

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Notes on Cloten

"Life at court is beset with treacherous quicksands. The king is stupid, passionate, perpetually misguided; the queen is a wily murderess; and between them stands her son, Cloten, one of Shakespeare's most original figures, a true creation of genius, without a rival in all the Poet's long gallery of fools and dullards. His stupid inefficiency and undisguised malignity have nothing in common with his mother's hypocritical and supple craft; he takes after her in worthlessness alone." (George Brandes) Read on...

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Cymbeline: The Play with Commentary

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Introduction to Imogen

Introduction to Guiderius and Arviragus

Introduction to Cloten

Introduction to Cymbeline

Introduction to Posthumus

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