How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #7
IMOGEN
Why, I must die,
And if I do not by thy hand, thou art
No servant of thy master's. Against self-slaughter
There is a prohibition so divine
That cravens my weak hand. Come, here's my heart—
Something's afore 't. Soft, soft! We'll no defense—
Obedient as the scabbard. (3.4.81-87)
Things go from bad to worse for Imogen when Pisanio shows her the letter from Posthumus instructing him to kill her. Hasn't she suffered enough? But it turns out that this is the push she needs to do something about all the lies and deceit that are going around town about her.
Quote #8
CYMBELINE
Where is our daughter? She hath not appeared
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tendered
The duty of the day. She looks us like
A thing more made of malice than of duty.
We have noted it.—Call her before us, for
We have been too slight in sufferance. (3.5.37-42)
When his daughter leaves for Milford, Cymbeline loses control; he can't believe she would stray at a time like this, and he's going to make her pay. Why is Cymbeline so hard on Imogen here? Sure, he's being duped by the Queen, and he doesn't know everything, but still. We guess he's suffering in a lot of ways, too. It must be hard to try to please your subjects, your wife, and your daughter, too, especially when all their interests conflict. What's a king to do?
Quote #9
LUCIUS
A Roman with a Roman's heart can suffer.
Augustus lives to think on 't: and so much
For my peculiar care. (5.5.94-96)
Not many people accept their suffering like Lucius does. He knows he's in for a rough time after invading and losing, but he doesn't care. Bring on the pain—he'll take it like a Roman: stoically, without complaining.