Pericles · Chapter
Scene IV explained
Gower introduces the scene, describing Pericles' journey to Tarsus to retrieve his daughter Marina.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
The false tomb and epitaph deceive Pericles into believing Marina is dead, highlighting the theme of deceptive appearances.
Resilience and Endurance
Pericles endures the tempest of grief and continues his journey despite overwhelming sorrow.
Death and Rebirth
Marina's apparent death is a falsehood, setting the stage for her eventual reunion and symbolic rebirth.
Characters to notice
- Gower
Narrates the scene and introduces the dumb show.
- Pericles
Arrives at Tarsus to fetch his daughter, falls into mourning upon seeing the false tomb.
- Cleon
Shows Pericles the tomb of Marina, complicit in the deception.
- Dionyza
Writes the epitaph for Marina's false tomb, perpetuating the lie.
- Helicanus
Mentioned as accompanying Pericles, with Escanes left to govern.
- Escames
Left to govern in Helicanus's absence.
Key passages
“Thus time we waste, and longest leagues make short; Sail seas in cockles, have an wish but for’t;”
We pass the time quickly, making long distances seem short; we can sail across seas in a tiny shell if we wish.
Gower uses poetic imagery to compress time and space for the audience.
“No visor does become black villany So well as soft and tender flattery.”
No disguise suits evil deeds better than gentle and flattering words.
Gower comments on how Dionyza's sweet epitaph masks her wickedness.