# Pisanio — Cymbeline character guide

> Pisanio in Cymbeline by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

A servant caught between two masters, ordered to kill his mistress and choosing instead to help her vanish into a life of disguise.

## Who they are

Pisanio serves Posthumus faithfully, which is exactly why the command to murder Imogen nearly destroys him. He gives her the boy's clothes, the poison box, and the directions that send her toward Milford Haven, then stays behind to face whatever blame falls. His divided loyalty makes him the play's moral hinge, a man whose small disobediences keep the tragedy from closing.

## Relationships

### [Imogen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/imogen)

_friendship_

Pisanio is Imogen's loyal servant and confidant, who protects her from harm and helps her escape the court.

### [Cloten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/cloten)

_professional_

Cloten, as the Queen's son, orders and threatens Pisanio, who serves the royal household under duress.

### [Queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/queen)

_professional_

Pisanio serves the Queen as a courtier but secretly distrusts her, as she plots against Imogen and the kingdom.

### [Imogen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/imogen)

_friendship_

Pisanio is Imogen's loyal servant and confidant, who protects her from harm and helps her escape the court.

### [Cloten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/cloten)

_professional_

Cloten, as the Queen's son, orders and threatens Pisanio, who serves the royal household under duress.

### [Imogen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/imogen)

_friendship_

Pisanio is Imogen's loyal servant and confidant, who protects her from harm and helps her escape the court.

### [Queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/queen)

_professional_

Pisanio serves the Queen as a courtier but secretly distrusts her, as she plots against Imogen and the kingdom.

### [Queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/queen)

_professional_

Pisanio serves the Queen as a courtier but secretly distrusts her, as she plots against Imogen and the kingdom.

### [Cloten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/cloten)

_professional_

Cloten, as the Queen's son, orders and threatens Pisanio, who serves the royal household under duress.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Posthumus's servant; delivers notes from Posthumus to Imogen; reports the scuffle between Cloten and Posthumus.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Describes Posthumus's lingering gestures of farewell from the ship and reassures Imogen that he will send word when possible.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-i-scene-v)

Receives the Queen's box and promises of reward, but inwardly resolves to remain true to Posthumus.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vi)

Pisanio introduces Iachimo to Imogen and exits to attend to Iachimo's servant.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Pisanio is briefly summoned by Imogen to search for a lost jewel that belonged to Posthumus.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Horrified by Posthumus's letter ordering Imogen's murder, he resolves to disobey.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv)

Loyal to Imogen, he refuses to kill her and devises a plan for her to escape to Milford Haven.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v)

Feigns loyalty to Cloten but secretly aids Imogen, providing false information about her whereabouts.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Remains loyal to Imogen, claiming ignorance of her whereabouts; later reflects on the lack of news from Posthumus and Imogen, and resolves to fight for Britain.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Mentioned by Posthumus as a servant who did not follow unjust orders.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Present in the retinue of Cymbeline.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/chapters/act-v-scene-v)

Reports no trace of the poor soldier, later defends himself against Imogen's accusation of poisoning, explaining the box came from the Queen.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters/pisanio
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cymbeline_se/characters