Cymbeline Act 1.1.70-105
Posted by The Bard on 21 August 2008
These lines actually provides three very short sub-scenes and, like the opening, draw attention to their creaky dramatic structure–so much so that there can be little doubt that all is quite deliberate. As the 2 Gents exit, the Queen enters with Posthumus and Imogen and quickly establishes the fairy tale relationship between herself and Imogen. Imogen is her stepdaughter, and we know how stepdaughters (or any stepchild for that matter) is treated with in fairy tales. Moreover, the fact that the Queen (note she is nameless and thus generic) asserts that Imogen will not find her “evil-eyed unto you” immediately suggests that that is indeed her intention. The Queen is the stereotypical evil/wicked queen (or similar figure). Although she also says she has good intentions towards Posthumus (Imogen’s husband), we already sense the falsity, especially because both of them have incurred regal wrath for marrying–Imogen is a “prisoner,” Posthimus is about to leave the kingdom.
The creaky dramaturgy points itself out when the Queen declares “I’ll fetch a turn about the garden” (81), ostensibly out of sympathy for the young lovers. Practically, the purpose for getting her off-stage is so that Imogen can quickly fill in their own perspective and provide information. The first bit of information comes from Imogen who confirms our suspicions about the motives of the evil Queen: “Dissembling courtesy! How fie this tyrant / Can tickle where she wounds.” The remainder of their exchange,as one might expect involves them pledging their love for one another, etc., as well as Postumus letting us know he is off to Rome but that he will write letters. PLOT ALERT–geography and letters are to play a MAJOR role in the play, and we’d better pay close attention!!
The sub-scene ends with a quick interjection from the Queen (just popping in from her turn about the garden) to tell them to hurry up. Again, this “device” is blatant and obvious–almost as though Shakespeare is telling us so.
Check out The Shakespeare Diaries.
© 2008
