Cloten: The Oaf Who Means It
First appears: Act 1, Scene 2
Cloten is the Queen's son from a previous marriage: stupid, vain, and dangerous. He pursues Imogen despite her obvious contempt, and when she tells him Posthumus's meanest garment is worth more than him, he does not forget it.
He follows Imogen to Wales dressed in Posthumus's clothes, intending to rape her. He is killed by Guiderius before he gets there. His death is played for black comedy: the head is cut off, the body dressed in Posthumus's clothes, which is how Imogen mistakes it for her husband.
He is grotesque but consistently characterised. His stupidity is absolute. His resentment is real. He is what happens when a bully has no-one to stop him.
Key Scenes
Famous Quotes
“I love and hate her: for she's fair and royal, And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite Than lady, ladies, woman.”
Cloten — Act 3, Scene 5
“If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not, Let her lie still and dream.”
Cloten — Act 2, Scene 3
Themes
Other Characters in Cymbeline
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