# Scene V explained — Pericles

> Chapter companion for Pericles by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Two gentlemen exit a brothel in Mytilene, marveling at the virtuous influence of a woman who preached divinity there, vowing to abandon bawdy houses and pursue virtue.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtue and Chastity

Marina's virtuous preaching in a brothel inspires the gentlemen to renounce lechery and seek virtue.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The brothel, a place of vice, becomes a site of divine preaching, challenging expectations.

## Character check-ins

### Marina

Though not present on stage, her preaching of divinity within the brothel has transformed the gentlemen's attitudes.

## Key lines

> But to have divinity preached there! did you ever dream of such a thing?

The first gentleman expresses astonishment that religious teachings occurred in a brothel.

_Highlights the transformative impact of Marina's presence._

> I’ll do any thing now that is virtuous; but I am out of the road of rutting for ever.

The first gentleman declares he will pursue virtuous actions and abandon a life of lust.

_Shows the moral reformation inspired by Marina._

## Links

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