# Scene I explained — Pericles

> Chapter companion for Pericles by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fortune and Divine Justice

Pericles thanks fortune for the recovery of his father's armor, seeing his shipwreck as a turn of fate that may lead to better prospects.

### Resilience and Endurance

Despite being cast ashore and losing everything, Pericles resolves to compete in the tournament, showing his determination to rise again.

### Kingship and Governance

The fishermen praise King Simonides for his 'peaceable reign and good government,' contrasting with the corrupt rule of Antiochus.

## Character check-ins

### Pericles

Shipwrecked and destitute, Pericles is given shelter and his father's armor by fishermen, and decides to enter the tournament for the princess's hand.

### Second Fisherman

Engages Pericles in conversation about begging and whipping, and helps recover the armor from the net.

### King Simonides

Mentioned as the good king of Pentapolis with a fair daughter and a peaceful reign.

## Key lines

> How from the finny subject of the sea / These fishers tell the infirmities of men; / And from their watery empire recollect / All that may men approve or men detect!

Pericles observes that the fishermen's talk about fish mirrors human vices and virtues.

_Pericles reflects on the moral lessons hidden in the fishermen's simple talk._

> I can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale; a' plays and tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at last devours them all at a mouthful.

The first fisherman compares greedy rich people to a whale that swallows everything in its path.

_The fisherman uses a metaphor to critique social inequality and greed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pericles_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pericles_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pericles_se/chapters