Cymbeline - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

14.
asks to see the coin lying in the pocket, but Imogen draws
back, refusing to let him look. The king supposes she is
afraid to admit that she does not have the coin with her,
but he makes no more of the matter. When a lady-attendant
reminds Imogen that she does have the coin on her person,
Imogen replies that she knows Leonatus does not carry his,
and that she did not wish to expose him to embarrassment
should the king have asked to see it:
"... It was better to be fancied neglectful,
when I was really careful; than for him to
be discovered in want of thought, that might
have been taken seriously amiss"
(Everyman edition, III, 410)
The description of Imogen's character is at all points
in keeping "ith received opinion on the subject: the suggested
explanation of her attachment to leonatua is Mrs.
Cowden-Clarke's most interesting contribution to the supposed
psychological background of the character -
Meanwhile, the young princess grew ir_
intelligence and beauty. She was of an
affectionate disposition, capable of strong
preferences, and steadfast attachments. Her
nature was both lovin:, and constant; and
even during her childish years, it manifested
itself in sin-^ular war.ith and ->ner^y of
denotement. Although she had lost her mother
when still so mere an infant, she had felt her
bereavement more sensibly than is usual at such
an early age. But she had transferred the
chief strength of the affection she had borne
her mother, to her young companion, Leonatus,
who had been early associated in her mind with
that mother; and who had since, by hie boyish
assiduity, ana tenderness of care towards herself,
won her dearest liking.
*
As she grew into womanhood, Imogen's peculiar
characteristics strengthened. In her nature
were comoined t ie inherited elements of Doth
her parents' dispositions; but modified, and
elevated, into finer qualities. In her, her
mother's passive timidity became gentleness, -