One of Cymbeline’s sons, stolen by Belarius from the nursery as a baby. Belarius raised Guiderius with the Welsh pseudonym “Polydor.” Like his brother Arviragus, Guiderius is hearty and inherently noble. The two yearn to make contact with the wider world after growing up in the remote countryside of Wales. Belarius worries that Guiderius’ will to fight and his desire for fame will reveal him for the royal that he is. Guiderius fights for honor, and does not stand Cloten’s insults, killing and beheading Cloten to preserve his own reputation. Guiderius is a fierce warrior, and he helps save Cymbeline’s life during the battle with the Romans. He freely admits to killing Cloten, not shying away from admitting to a crime committed for the sake of honor. Belarius’ confession that Guiderius is the King’s kidnapped son saves Guiderius from execution.
Guiderius/Polydor Quotes in Cymbeline
The Cymbeline quotes below are all either spoken by Guiderius/Polydor or refer to Guiderius/Polydor. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 3, Scene 3
Quotes
How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature!
These boys know little they are sons to the king;
Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive.
They think they are mine; and though train’d
up thus meanly
I’ the cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit
The roofs of palaces, and nature prompts them
In simple and low things to prince it much
Beyond the trick of others.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Related Literary Devices:
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Explanation and Analysis:
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Guiderius/Polydor Quotes in Cymbeline
The Cymbeline quotes below are all either spoken by Guiderius/Polydor or refer to Guiderius/Polydor. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 3, Scene 3
Quotes
How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature!
These boys know little they are sons to the king;
Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive.
They think they are mine; and though train’d
up thus meanly
I’ the cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit
The roofs of palaces, and nature prompts them
In simple and low things to prince it much
Beyond the trick of others.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
