How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #4
POSTHUMUS
Is there no way for men to be, but women
Must be half-workers? We are all bastards, (2.5.1-2)
Once he thinks Imogen has cheated on him, Posthumus says he can't trust any woman, since in his mind, all women are liars. He's a little dramatic, yes, but he's also right on the money in terms of 17th-century thinking. A lot of men then really did believe all women were untrustworthy and would give in to their every desire. Have things changed since then?
Quote #5
POSTHUMUS
The vows of women
Of no more bondage be to where they are made,
Than they are to their virtues, which is nothing. (2.4.139-141)
Yikes. All women are traitors and go back on their word? It sure seems that way to Posthumus. What's funny is that he's just done that very thing: he promised Imogen he wouldn't let go of his ring until he was dead, and—voilà—he bet it right away to Iachimo. One thing that many of the men in this play lack is self-awareness; they pretty easily spot problems in others, but they have a hard time seeing the bad or imperfect things about themselves.
Quote #6
POSTHUMUS
I thought
her
As chaste as unsunned snow. O, all the devils! (2.5.12-14)
This dude is outraged at the fact that his bride is not as honest as he thought. There might be a little more to it than that, though: we can't help but wonder whether he's mad at the fact that his wife cheated on him, or that he lost the bet. Which one is he more upset about when he rants about Iachimo besting him? Why is there a bet in the first place? To test his wife's loyalty, or to be the big man around town?