Scene III explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Incest and Corruption

  Dionyza's murderous plot and manipulation of Cleon reflect the corruption that pervades familial and political bonds.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  Dionyza plans to present Marina's death as natural, hiding the foul murder behind a facade of mourning and a grand monument.

Characters to notice

• Cleon

  Horrified by the murder of Marina, he laments the deed and fears Pericles' reaction, but is ultimately swayed by Dionyza's pragmatism.

• Dionyza

  Coldly justifies Marina's murder, blaming her for overshadowing her own daughter, and devises a cover story to deceive Pericles.

Key passages

• “O Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter The sun and moon ne’er look’d upon!”

  Cleon exclaims that the murder of Marina is so horrific that the sun and moon have never witnessed anything like it.

  Cleon's shock and moral outrage at the crime.

• “She died at night; I’ll say so. Who can cross it?”

  Dionyza asserts that she will claim Marina died at night, and no one can contradict that story.

  Dionyza's plan to fabricate a natural death for Marina.

• “Thou art like the harpy, Which, to betray, dost, with thine angel’s face, Seize with thine eagle’s talons.”

  Cleon compares Dionyza to a harpy, a mythical creature that uses a beautiful appearance to deceive and then attacks with cruel claws.

  Cleon's condemnation of Dionyza's deceptive and predatory nature.