# Scene IV explained — Pericles

> Chapter companion for Pericles by William Shakespeare.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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