In Cymbeline, the
matters associated with children are always of great concern because of the
family's royalty. Whether a child is good or bad seems to always be under scrutiny.
Imogen is closely watched and her decisions are limited. Posthumus is banished
by her father in attempt to protect his lineage, despite how honorable
Posthumus is. Imogen is undeniably good as well, and although the king
recognizes this even when she is disguised, he fails to recognize the evil and
ugliness in Cloten. The king even instantly sentences his own valiant, biological
son to death because he murdered Cloten, even though Cloten had planned to rape
his daughter.
This theme is also present in Henry IV Part 1, even though the king is fully aware that Prince
Hal is a bad prince. King Henry IV even wishes he had another son, saying, “O
that it could be proved that some night-tripping fairy had exchanged in cradle
clothes our children where they lay, and called mine Percy, his Plantagenet!”
(1.1. 85-88). The prince’s behavior is not fit for a future king and this is a
great issue since the kingdom is already unstable due to the recent overthrow
of the crown.
I believe that Shakespeare portrays certain characters as
good and bad in order to bring about a higher contrast. Would we have been as
shocked at Posthumus’ actions if we had not known how virtuous and chaste
Imogen remained? Would we have been as disgusted by Cloten if he had not gone
after such a good princess? I believe that, like every society, Shakespearean
societies need deviance and ugliness to contrast the good and provide an
outline for how one should behave. I think that Prince Hal’s misbehaving will
only make us see him as an even greater king in the future.
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