Pericles · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Pericles by William Shakespeare.
Chapter 1
Act I
Pericles — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 2
Scene I
Pericles arrives at Antioch to win the princess by solving a riddle, but discovers the incestuous relationship between Antiochus and his daughter. He refuses to expose the truth openly, and Antiochus, realizing Pericles knows the secret, plots to have him killed. Pericles flees to save his life.
Chapter 3
Scene II
Pericles, troubled by melancholy and fear of Antiochus, confides in his loyal counselor Helicanus. He reveals the incestuous secret he discovered in Antioch and his dread of the tyrant's retaliation. Helicanus advises him to travel for safety, and Pericles decides to leave Tyre in Helicanus's hands while he journeys to Tarsus.
Chapter 4
Scene III
Thaliard arrives in Tyre with orders to kill King Pericles, but discovers that Pericles has already departed on unknown travels. Helicanus explains to the lords of Tyre that Pericles left due to displeasure from Antiochus. Thaliard decides to return to Antioch, and Helicanus invites him to feast before his departure.
Chapter 5
Scene IV: The Relief of Tarsus
Cleon and Dionyza lament the famine that has devastated Tarsus, once a prosperous city. Pericles arrives with ships carrying corn to relieve their hunger, offering aid rather than conquest. Cleon welcomes him, and Pericles accepts their hospitality.
Chapter 6
Act II
Pericles — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 7
Scene I
Pericles, shipwrecked and washed ashore at Pentapolis, is taken in by a group of fishermen who discuss the injustices of the world. They recover his father's armor from the sea, and Pericles learns of a tournament for the hand of King Simonides' daughter. He resolves to compete, hoping to restore his fortunes.
Chapter 8
Scene II
King Simonides and his daughter Thaisa oversee a tournament of knights vying for her honor. Thaisa interprets the devices and mottos of each knight, including a mysterious stranger (Pericles) whose withered branch with a green top bears the motto 'In hac spe vivo.' Despite his rusty appearance, Simonides cautions against judging by outward show, and the crowd acclaims the 'mean knight.'
Chapter 9
Scene III
At a banquet in Pentapolis, King Simonides welcomes the knights after the tournament. Thaisa crowns Pericles victor, and the feast proceeds with dancing. Pericles remains melancholic, reflecting on his lost fortunes. Simonides prompts Thaisa to engage him, and Pericles reveals his identity as a gentleman of Tyre, shipwrecked on the shore. The scene ends with the knights retiring for the night.
Chapter 10
Scene IV: The Counsel of Tyre
Helicanus informs Escanes of the divine punishment of Antiochus and his daughter, who were consumed by fire from heaven for their incest. Lords of Tyre, concerned about Pericles' prolonged absence, propose electing Helicanus as king. Helicanus refuses, urging them to wait a year and search for Pericles instead, emphasizing loyalty and unity.
Chapter 11
Scene V
King Simonides reads a letter from his daughter Thaisa, who declares she will marry the stranger knight (Pericles) or never marry. Simonides approves but tests Pericles by accusing him of bewitching Thaisa. Pericles defends his honor courageously. Simonides reveals his approval, and the two are wed with his blessing.
Chapter 12
Act III
Pericles — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 13
Scene I
Pericles, aboard a storm-tossed ship, learns that his wife Thaisa has died in childbirth. Lychorida presents him with their newborn daughter. Sailors insist Thaisa's body be cast overboard due to superstition. Pericles reluctantly agrees and decides to head for Tarsus to leave the infant with Cleon for safekeeping.
Chapter 14
Scene II
In Ephesus, Cerimon demonstrates his virtue and skill in medicine by aiding shipwrecked men and reviving Thaisa, who was cast ashore in a chest after being presumed dead during a storm at sea. The scene highlights Cerimon's wisdom and the miraculous restoration of life.
Chapter 15
Scene III
Pericles, having completed his twelve-month stay in Tarsus, entrusts his infant daughter Marina to the care of Cleon and Dionyza, vowing to remain unmarried until she is wed. Cleon and Dionyza promise to raise her as their own, and Pericles departs for Tyre.
Chapter 16
Scene IV
In Ephesus, Cerimon returns Thaisa's belongings and reveals that she was shipwrecked. Thaisa, believing King Pericles is dead, decides to become a vestal virgin in Diana's temple, and Cerimon offers his niece to attend her.
Chapter 17
Act IV
Pericles — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 18
Scene I
Dionyza orders Leonine to murder Marina, but pirates intervene and abduct her. Leonine decides to report her dead.
Chapter 19
Scene II
In a brothel in Mytilene, the Pandar, Bawd, and Boult discuss their need for fresh prostitutes after poor business. Boult returns with Marina, who has been captured by pirates. Despite the Bawd's attempts to coerce her into the trade, Marina resolutely declares her intention to preserve her virginity, calling upon the goddess Diana for aid.
Chapter 20
Scene III
Cleon and Dionyza discuss the murder of Marina, with Cleon expressing horror and guilt while Dionyza justifies the deed and plans to cover it up by claiming Marina died of natural causes.
Chapter 21
Scene IV
Gower introduces the scene, describing Pericles' journey to Tarsus to retrieve his daughter Marina. A dumb show reveals Cleon and Dionyza showing Pericles a false tomb, leading him to believe Marina is dead. Pericles, overcome with grief, dons sackcloth and departs. Dionyza's epitaph for Marina is read, and the scene shifts to Mytilene.
Chapter 22
Scene V
Two gentlemen exit a brothel in Mytilene, marveling at the virtuous influence of a woman who preached divinity there, vowing to abandon bawdy houses and pursue virtue.
Chapter 23
Scene VI
In the brothel, Marina resists the advances of Lysimachus, the governor of Mytilene, by appealing to his honor and virtue. Lysimachus is moved by her eloquence and chastity, gives her gold, and leaves. Boult and the Bawd are furious, but Marina persuades Boult to let her teach instead of prostituting herself, offering to use her skills in singing, weaving, sewing, and dancing to earn money.
Chapter 24
Act V
Pericles — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 25
Scene I
On board Pericles' ship off Mytilene, the grief-stricken Pericles is visited by Lysimachus, the governor of Mytilene, who brings Marina to try to rouse him from his melancholy. Through their conversation, Pericles discovers that Marina is his long-lost daughter, and he is overjoyed. The goddess Diana appears to Pericles in a vision, instructing him to go to Ephesus to reveal his story and be reunited with his wife.
Chapter 26
Scene II
Gower introduces the final act, describing how Pericles has been promised to marry Marina in Mytilene, but must first perform a sacrifice at the temple of Diana in Ephesus as commanded. The scene shifts to Ephesus, where the king and his company arrive.
Chapter 27
Scene III
Pericles, guided by a vision from Diana, arrives at the temple of Diana in Ephesus with his daughter Marina and their companions. He recounts his life story to the goddess, revealing his identity. Thaisa, who has been serving as a high priestess, recognizes him and faints. Cerimon explains how he revived Thaisa after she was cast ashore. The family is joyfully reunited, and Pericles learns that King Simonides has died. Plans are made for Marina to marry Lysimachus at Pentapolis, and Pericles vows to shave his beard for the wedding. Gower concludes the play with a moral summary, noting the punishment of Cleon and Dionyza.
