Pericles, Prince of Tyre by William Shakespeare (Full Play Summary)

 

Pericles, Prince of Tyre

by William Shakespeare

(Full Play Summary) 

Act I:

The play begins with Pericles, the Prince of Tyre, arriving in Antioch to seek the hand of King Antiochus's daughter. To win her, he must solve a riddle, but failure means death. Pericles solves the riddle and discovers the incestuous relationship between Antiochus and his daughter. Fearing for his life, Pericles flees, knowing Antiochus will try to kill him. Back in Tyre, Pericles leaves his trusted friend Helicanus in charge and sets sail to escape Antiochus’s wrath. He ends up in Tarsus, where he provides food to the starving city ruled by Cleon and Dionyza.

 

Act II:

Pericles is shipwrecked near Pentapolis and is rescued by fishermen. He learns of a tournament held by King Simonides, whose daughter Thaisa is to be married. Pericles enters the tournament, wins, and marries Thaisa. Soon after, Pericles learns that Antiochus and his daughter have died. He decides to return to Tyre with Thaisa, who is now pregnant.

 

Act III:

During a storm at sea, Thaisa dies while giving birth to their daughter, Marina. In his grief, Pericles orders her body to be cast into the sea. Thaisa’s coffin washes ashore at Ephesus, where she is revived by Cerimon, a skilled physician. Believing herself a widow, Thaisa becomes a priestess in Diana’s temple. Meanwhile, Pericles leaves Marina in the care of Cleon and Dionyza in Tarsus and continues his voyages.

 

Act IV:

Marina grows into a beautiful young woman, arousing Dionyza’s jealousy, who then plots to have her killed. However, pirates kidnap Marina and sell her to a brothel in Mytilene. Despite her dire situation, Marina remains virtuous and converts the patrons to a more righteous life. She later gains her freedom through her virtue and skill in storytelling and music.

 

Act V:

Pericles, who has been wandering the seas in mourning, arrives in Mytilene. The governor, Lysimachus, brings Marina to him to lift his spirits. Pericles realizes Marina is his daughter, and they joyfully reunite. In a dream, the goddess Diana instructs Pericles to go to her temple in Ephesus. There, Pericles reunites with Thaisa, and the family is joyfully restored. The play ends with the promise of future happiness and prosperity for Pericles and his family.