Pisanio

Play

Cymbeline

Summary

Posthumus's faithful servant left behind in Britain who receives his master's letter ordering him to kill Imogen but cannot bring himself to do it. Instead he devises the disguise of Fidele and sends Imogen to Wales, maintaining her cover story and working quietly to preserve her life. He is the play's emblem of practical, humane loyalty — a servant whose conscience overrides obedience.

Notable Quotations

"Though those that are betray'd / Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor / Stands in worse case of woe." *(III.iv)*

"I will here forge your ladyship a letter from Milford-Haven." *(III.iv)*

Cross-references

• Cymbeline — the play
• Romances (Late Plays)
• character_imogen — the mistress he saves and protects
• character_posthumus — the master whose violent order he refuses to carry out
• character_queen_cymbeline — who tries to use and poison him