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| Thursday, 20 January 2005 |
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Cymbeline, a complexed royal The World of arts by Gwen Herat Often, we have failed to understand why William Shakespeare classified certain plays as tragedies such as Cymbeline and Perivles Prince of Tyre when in reality, they were not. these never ended in any catastrophe.
It is very apt that the men and women who play their parts go through stress and bitternes. They suffer many an instance but if they opted to, they could have lived happily ever after. With perfect analyse, Cymberline could be classed as a comedy in line with Measure for Measure but it remains a puzzle for critics and scholars alike. In this play, Iachimo is to Posthumus what Iago is to Othello. He possesses all the accent of a great deceiver who destroyed Othello, the simple Moor. He had no difficulty in contriving hatred and jealousy towards Posthumus. In contrast, Imogen from Cymbeline is made of finer clay than Desdemona and was able by her courage and spirit and understanding, save both Posthumus and herself. She is one of Shakespeare's best loved heroines and he has made this character with a firm hand to deal with the situation. She has no awe for her father and without a moment of doubt, foils the base design of Iachimo. She addresses the king in equal ranks and in higher resolution: I beseech you sir, Harm not yourself with your vexation; I am senseles with your wrath, a touch more rare Subdues all pangs, all fears...... Cymbeline - Past grace? obedience? Imogen - Past hope and in despair, that we may past grace Cymbeline - That might have had the sole son of my queen; Imogen - O blessed, that I might not; I chose an eagle and did avoid a puttock' Act 1. Scene 1. Iachimo cannot assail Imogen who has the right answer for him. She is brave and does not faulter with her words-. 'If thou were honourable Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not For such an end thou seek'st, as base as strange Thou wrong'st a gentleman who is as fair From thy report as thou from honur and Solicit'st here a lady that disdains Thou and the devil alike'.... Act 1. Scene VI This is what Imogen is made of. And Postumus? is he an eagle as Imogen calls him or even a puttock. Many feels he is a puttock unworthy of Imogen's love. Here again, we can recall Othello yielding to Iago when Postumus surrenders to the vile suggestions of Iachimo. he dare mock about his wife's honour without reason, in cold blood. In this scene, Iachimo, subtly returns with Imogen's bracelet and Postumus accepts his story with half protest. With little hesitation he accepts the tale of her dishonour. He swears by it. He speaks eloquently for Postumus to believe but when at last the falsehood is bared, Posthumus does not suffer nor suspect as he takes back his wife as though it were she who had wronged him. Even towards the end, Imogen asks him 'Why did you throw your wedded lady from you?' but Posthumus replies in magnanimity 'Hang there like a fruit, my soul. Till the tree die:'. Though Imogen loves him deeply, he is a coward, is recreant, not to mention simple. Often I have wondered whether Shakespeare made this plot crude and incredible. The Bard had to escape from this confusion and to do so, he puts Imogen into doublet and hose, an artifice which in two of his plays had employed to get out of a tangled situation; the plays being As Your Like It and Twelfth Night. Had these circumstances or situations taken place towards the maturity of his genius, the play would have ended differently. Being the Master whose influence on English history dominates the dictionary, he was able to explain the strange medley of men and nations, even with out travelling outside England of his time. In this context, we have to accept the theory that when Cymbeline was written, nothing was to be explained other than remember Imogen to be the brave, constant woman who dominated the play. Like in Julius Caesar, Ceasar plays but a little part like Cymbeline, giving way to Imogen. Lending names and playing minor roles especially in tragedies, had been yet another aspect of his writing. 'True honest men being heard, like false Aeneas; Were in his time thought false, and Sinon's weeping. Did scanel many a holy tear, took pity. From most true wretchedness; so thou, Posthumus, Will lay the leaven on all proper men, goodly and gallant Shall be false and perjured. From thy great fail, come thy fellow; be thou honest Do thou thy master's bidding when thou see'st him. A little witness my obedience, look; I draw the sword myself... - ACT, 1 Scene IV |
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