The Theme of Clothing in Shakespeare's Cymbeline Essay

The Theme of Clothing in Shakespeares Cymbeline - Essay ExampleAfter putting on Posthumus vestments in a futile attempt to lure his wife, Cloten declares How fit his garments serve me Why should his mistress, who was made by him that made the tailor, non be fit to? (4.1 1-4), he underlines the importance of one of Shakespeares primary themes in Cymbeline clothing.Clotens continuous comparison of the tailor to a creator, most likely a rude japery about Posthumus, points to the complexity ingrained in Shakespeares portrayal of clothing, disguise, and costume. Out rightly, the demureness of the play is founded on several fronts. In some lawsuits it can be found within the language used by the characters, bringing out the consequence of clothing to symbolize status. In other cases, such as is the case with Imogens anger towards Clotenor Posthumuss changing commitments on the battle front, a characters dress outwardly displays the characters personalities and manipulates their action s. At points in the play, misleading masquerades run for characters to rage and violence.Examples of this are Posthumuss decision to have Imogen murdered and Clotens plan to rape Imogen, in other instances it allows them to see things more clearly as is the case with the battle episodes. The changing of clothes socially derogates characters and moves them towards improved self-awareness and self-fulfillment, most importantly, disguise appears as a not so shrouding cloak that, while secrecy the identity of the characters, fails to mask their actual natures. Clothing and disguise function as a way for the characters to conceal and simultaneously reveal themselves to the audience. The frequency of language pertaining to garments is an obviousindication of the significance that clothing has in illustrating the themes of the play. Even before the introduction of disguises, Imogen ridicules Cloten with statements and metaphors relating to clothing. After Cloten intently seeks audience w ith Imogen by banging on her door, and consequently referring to himself as a gentleman, a Lady declares Thats more/Than some whose tailors are as dear as yours Can justly boast of (2.3 77-79). This part of the play illustrates the uselessness of Clotens character, this is quite apparent from the mockery he receives from the servant of Imogens court. By deriding his garb, the woman servant challenges Clotens ego and his hard held sense of entitlement. Clotens result is as scathing, and he chooses to further the clothing line by drawing a comparison between dress and character, referring to Posthumus as A hilding for a livery, a squires cloth/A pantler-not so eminent (1. 120-121).Cloten, who is widely seen and referred to as an idiot, shows he is not without wit and possesses some skill in rhetoric, if not virtue, by redirecting the servant womans debate and continuing to make a point on Posthumus apparent insufficiency for the future throne. Imogen, however, seems to close this d ebate by furthering the metaphorical comparison on garments to include an abstract example, she holds that Posthumus Meanest garmentis dearer in my respect than all the hairs above thee (2.3 133-135). In conclusion, Imogen alters the discussion of clothing to banish Cloten. At the end of the scene, it becomes apparent that