It has been well observed, that our consciousness that the bracelet is really gone to bear false witness against her, adds an inexpressibly touching effect to the simplicity and tenderness of the sentiment.
And again, when she opens her bosom to meet the death to which her husband has doomed her, she finds his letters preserved next her heart
What's here!
The letters of the loyal Leonatus?—
Soft, we'll no defence.
The scene in which Posthumus stakes his ring on the virtue of his wife, and gives Iachimo permission to tempt her, is taken from the story. The baseness and folly of such conduct have been justly censured; but Shakspeare, feeling that Posthumus needed every excuse, has managed the quarrelling scene between him and Iachimo with the most admirable skill. The manner in which his high spirit is gradually worked up by the taunts of this Italian fiend, is contrived with far more probability, and much less coarseness, than in the original tale. In the end he is not the challenger, but the challenged; and could hardly (except on a moral principle, much too refined for those rude times) have declined the wager without compromising his own courage and his faith in the honor of Imogen.
IACHIMO.
I durst attempt it against any lady in the world.
POSTHUMUS.
You are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion; and I
doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your
attempt.
IACHIMO.
What's that?