Cymbeline - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

29.
Cymbeline'a harshness, he is annoyed by lachiiao's lightlyborne
self-assurance, and his confidence in Imogen's purity
prevents his conceiving of any way in which lachiao might
win. Indeed, he is easily convinced by lachimo's knowledge
of Imogen's mole: "What need of further token!" exclaims
Miss Faucit, amplifying lachimo's words when he sees the
mole (New Arden edition, II.2.39-42.) -
Those of which he is now possessed will be
ample to carry conviction to a man of pure
heart like Posthumus, who could not conceive
of baseness so vile as that by which lachimo
has come to know of that sweet secret mark.15
Miss Faucit 1 s Posthumus is ingenuous in the extreme - so noble
that he cannot conceive that villainy exists - and her lachimo
is a sensualist who comes to self-realisation in the remorse
which haunts him when he has accomplished the deception - and
his better instincts are revealed in his awe at the sight of
Imogen.
Miss Faucit describes at some length her reading of
Act I, scene 7, the interview with lachimo: the account
yields some suggestions as to what the actress did on stage.
Vhen lachimo gives her Posthuiaus' letter,
lachimo is watching her with all his eyes.
The happiness in hers, lately so full of
tears, adds to her fascination, and her
whole demeanour expresses, silently but
eloquently, the purity and beauty of her
soul.16
When lachimo tells her how Posthumus is having a good time
in Rome, the report,
so little in consonance with all she has known
of Posthumus, at once arrests Imogen's attention.
Imogen's "Will my lord say so?", when lachimo amplifies this
report, is amazed, and "My lord, I fear / Has forgot Britain,"
is spoken with a sad dignity. Her "Let me hear no more!"
arises not only from her reluctance to hear ill of Posthumus,