Act 5 of Cymbeline runs 950 lines across 5 scenes, carrying about 25.3% of the play’s total dialogue with 24 named speakers. It’s longer than the play’s average act (751 lines).
Act opens (Scene 1, Posthumus Leonatus): “Yea, bloody cloth, I'll keep thee, for I wish'd”
Act closes (Scene 5, Cymbeline): “Ere bloody hands were wash'd, with such a peace.”
The 5 scenes of Act 5
| Scene | Lines | Speakers | Share of act |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scene 1 | 33 | 1 | 3.5% |
| Scene 2 | 21 | 5 | 2.2% |
| Scene 3 | 106 | 4 | 11.2% |
| Scene 4 | 208 | 10 | 21.9% |
| Scene 5 | 582 | 12 | 61.3% |
Who speaks in Act 5
The leading voice is Posthumus Leonatus with 24% of Act 5’s dialogue (230 lines).
| Character | Lines in act | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Posthumus Leonatus ♂ | 230 | 24.2% |
| Cymbeline ♀ | 180 | 18.9% |
| Iachimo ♂ | 87 | 9.2% |
| Belarius ♂ | 83 | 8.7% |
| Cornelius ♂ | 48 | 5.1% |
| First Gaoler ♂ | 45 | 4.7% |
| Sicilius Leonatus ♂ | 40 | 4.2% |
How Act 5 of Cymbeline compares to other romances
| Play | Act 5 lines | Scenes |
|---|---|---|
| Cymbeline (this act) | 950 | 5 |
| Winter's Tale | 636 | 3 |
| Pericles, Prince of Tyre | 459 | 3 |
| The Tempest | 383 | 1 |
About Act 5 of Cymbeline
How many lines are in Act 5 of Cymbeline?
950 lines spread across 5 scenes.
Who dominates Act 5?
Posthumus Leonatus delivers 24% of the act’s dialogue (230 lines).