Cymbeline Posthumus Relationship

Shakespeare’ Cymbeline is a comedic tragedy centered around the relationship between a princess and her supposedly honorable beau. Throughout the play people often hail Posthumus as an honorable man that deserves Imogen. Despite the fact that throughout the play people hail Posthumus as honorable, we hardly see that. This scene brings to light the sexist and classist nature of Posthumus’ relationship with both Imogen and Pisanio, as he treats both of them as possessions to do with as he pleases.
Throughout the play, Posthumus makes it very clear that he cares not for his wife as a person but rather as an idea. Despite hailing his wife as a woman of utmost virtue, the second Iachimo shows the bracelet as proof of the supposed seduction of Imogen, Posthumus needs no further proof to believe Iachimo as Iachimo “swears! By Jupiter he swears, Tis true” (II,iv,147-148). From that moment Posthumus was willing to cast away his wife because …show more content…
When confronted with the thought of Imogen’s infidelity, Posthumus decided to use Pisanio as a murder weapon. By doing this Posthumus completely disregards Pisano's feelings. Upon receiving the letter from Posthumus Pisanio asks “How? That I should murder her Upon the love and truth and vows I have made to thy command” (III,ii,11-13). Pisanio is close to Imogen and cares very deeply for her, by ordering him to kill her Posthumus has put Pisanio in a moral dilemma. Pisanio is left battling between his duties as a servant and his connection to Imogen. However, Posthumus does not care about Pisano's allegiance to Imogen, as he believes that Pisano is his servant, his possession, and must do his bidding. Posthumus abuses his authority over Pisano to clear himself of any true wrongdoing. Posthumus does not care about the harmful effect that killing another human may have on his servant, he only cares that his emotions and his desires have been taken care