Belarius/Morgan Character Analysis

Belarius is a nobleman and soldier. Twenty years prior to the play’s action, Cymbeline banished Belarius because of court gossip alleging Belarius’ ties to Rome. In retaliation, Belarius kidnapped Cymbeline’s sons Guiderius and Arviragus as infants, and has raised them under aliases in a Welsh cave. Going by the name Morgan, Belarius prizes the natural landscape and his simple life. He feels conflicted about that his adopted sons’ nobility is beginning to show in their behavior; he doesn’t think that their royal nature can be concealed, even in spite of their upbringing in the countryside. Even though he felt the sting of the King’s banishment, Belarius works alongside Arviragus and Guiderius to save Cymbeline from Roman captivity during the battle, and they inspire the other British soldiers with their courage. After the battle, when the King plans to execute Guiderius for killing Cloten, Belarius is willing to give up his own life to save his son’s. He reveals the whole truth to Cymbeline in the hopes that he will spare Guiderius once he realizes Guiderius is his son. Thus, Belarius shows that he values telling the truth and the safety of his adoptive sons over his own life, ennobling a character with a checkered past. Cymbeline rewards Belarius with a pardon.