“Part Shame, Part Spirit Renewed”: Affect, National Origins, and Report in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline

Abstract

n the final act of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, Posthumus experiences a masquelike vision of his family that, in repairing the lacuna of his familial origins announced at the play’s beginning, evokes honor and shame in turn. In a ghostly visitation, the Leonati address Posthumus, revealing to him his origins. His father Sicilius, for example, announces that “great nature like his ancestry /Moulded the stuff so fair” that Posthumus “deserved the praise o’th’ world / As great Sicilius’ heir” (5.3.141–45). Whereas the play opens with the First Gentleman saying he cannot “delve [Posthumus] to the root” (1.1.33), the vision reveals these roots, and Posthumus learns that they would, as the Second Gentleman says, “honour him / Even of out of . . . report” (1.1.60–61). When he awakes from the dream, he apostrophizes Sleep, thanking it for having “begot / A father tome” and “created / A mother and two brothers” (5.4.217–19). Though grateful for this dream, Posthumus also feels a certain shame, based on his unworthiness to receive such knowledge about his family and noble ancestry: “Many dream not to find, neither deserve, / And yet are steeped in favours; so am I, / That have this golden chance and know not why” (5.3.224–26). This vision serves to remind him of his own dishonorable actions: he not only plotted to murder Innogen, whom he falsely believes has betrayed him, but he has also avoided participating in skirmishes between the British and Roman soldiers.