Pericles · Chapter
Scene II explained
King Simonides and his daughter Thaisa oversee a tournament of knights vying for her honor.
What happens
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.'
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Simonides explicitly warns against judging by outward show, and Pericles' rusty armor contrasts with the crowd's eventual acclaim, highlighting the theme that true worth is not always visible.
Fortune and Divine Justice
Pericles' motto 'In hac spe vivo' (In this hope I live) reflects his reliance on hope and fortune to rise from his dejected state, a recurring motif in his journey.
Characters to notice
- King Simonides
Presides over the tournament, instructs Thaisa to interpret the knights' devices, and warns against judging by appearances.
- Thaisa
Sits as the prize of the tournament, explains each knight's shield and motto, including Pericles' withered branch.
- Pericles
Appears as the sixth knight, presenting a withered branch with a green top, symbolizing hope despite his dejected state.
Key passages
“Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan The outward habit by the inward man.”
Judging someone by their appearance is foolish; true character lies within.
Simonides advises against superficial judgments, a key lesson in the scene.
“A wither'd branch, that's only green at top; The motto, 'In hac spe vivo.'”
A dried branch with a green tip, symbolizing that he lives in hope.
Pericles' device conveys his hopefulness despite his current misfortune.