Pericles · Chapter
Scene III explained
Pericles, guided by a vision from Diana, arrives at the temple of Diana in Ephesus with his daughter Marina and their companions.
What happens
Pericles, guided by a vision from Diana, arrives at the temple of Diana in Ephesus with his daughter Marina and their companions. He recounts his life story to the goddess, revealing his identity. Thaisa, who has been serving as a high priestess, recognizes him and faints. Cerimon explains how he revived Thaisa after she was cast ashore. The family is joyfully reunited, and Pericles learns that King Simonides has died. Plans are made for Marina to marry Lysimachus at Pentapolis, and Pericles vows to shave his beard for the wedding. Gower concludes the play with a moral summary, noting the punishment of Cleon and Dionyza.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Reunion
The chapter culminates in the joyful reunion of Pericles, Thaisa, and Marina at Diana's temple, fulfilling the play's central theme of family restored.
Fortune and Divine Justice
Pericles attributes his reunion to divine guidance from Diana, and Gower's epilogue emphasizes that the gods punished Cleon and Dionyza for their intended murder.
Virtue and Chastity
Thaisa's role as a chaste high priestess and Marina's preservation of virtue are highlighted, with Gower noting that virtue is 'preserved from fell destruction’s blast.'
Resilience and Endurance
Pericles endures fourteen years of mourning and hardship before being reunited with his family, and Thaisa survives apparent death to serve in the temple.
Characters to notice
- Pericles
Confesses his identity and life story at Diana's temple, is reunited with Thaisa, and plans to marry Marina to Lysimachus.
- Marina
Recognized by Pericles as his daughter and kneels to Thaisa, expressing joy at being reunited with her mother.
- Thaisa
Serves as high priestess at Diana's temple; faints upon recognizing Pericles, then joyfully reunites with him and Marina.
- Cerimon
Reveals how he revived Thaisa after she was cast ashore and placed her in Diana's temple; praised by Pericles as a mortal officer like a god.
- Lysimachus
Present at the temple; is the fair-betrothed of Marina and will marry her at Pentapolis.
- Helicanus
Hails Thaisa as queen and is recognized by her as the ancient substitute Pericles left behind in Tyre.
- Diana
Invoked by Pericles as the goddess who commanded him to come to Ephesus; her temple is the setting for the reunion.
- Gower
Delivers the epilogue, summarizing the moral outcomes for each character and the punishment of Cleon and Dionyza.
Key passages
“In Pericles, his queen and daughter, seen, Although assail’d with fortune fierce and keen, Virtue preserved from fell destruction’s blast, Led on by heaven, and crown’d with joy at last”
Pericles, his wife, and his daughter, though attacked by harsh fortune, kept their virtue safe from ruin, guided by heaven, and finally achieved happiness.
Gower's epilogue summarizes the moral arc of the play, emphasizing virtue's triumph through divine guidance.
“The gods for murder seemed so content To punish them; although not done, but meant.”
The gods were pleased to punish Cleon and Dionyza for their intended murder, even though it was not carried out.
Gower explains that divine justice punishes evil intentions as well as deeds.
“O, come, be buried A second time within these arms.”
Come, let me hold you again as if burying you once more in my embrace.
Pericles expresses overwhelming joy at being reunited with Thaisa, using the metaphor of burial to emphasize the depth of his embrace.
