Pericles, Prince of Tyre, Act 1 Scene 4 — Summary & Analysis
- Setting: Tarsus. A room in the Governor's house Who's in it: Cleon, Dionyza, Lord, Pericles, All Reading time: ~6 min
What happens
Cleon and Dionyza, the governor and his wife of Tarsus, lament their city's famine and starvation. A fleet of ships arrives, and they fear invasion, but the ships carry Pericles, who brings grain to relieve their suffering. Pericles asks only for shelter and hospitality. The grateful citizens bless him, and Cleon welcomes him warmly, vowing to protect Pericles' interests as if they were his own.
Why it matters
This scene establishes Pericles as a prince of genuine compassion and honor. While fleeing assassination, he learns of Tarsus's desperate hunger and immediately redirects his ships to bring relief—an act of mercy that costs him time and resources. His selflessness contrasts sharply with the political calculation of Antiochus, who murdered for lust, and Thaliard, who murdered for hire. Pericles asks only for 'love' and shelter, not gratitude or reward, which elevates him morally and sets him apart as a true leader. This generosity will prove crucial later: it establishes Cleon as someone indebted to Pericles, making Cleon's later betrayal even more devastating.
The scene also reveals the play's interest in fortune and providence. Cleon describes Tarsus as a city that has fallen from plenty to starvation—a reversal of fortune that mirrors what will happen to Pericles himself. The arrival of Pericles' ships seems miraculous, almost fated, suggesting that larger forces are at work. The citizens' gratitude—'The gods of Greece protect you!'—frames Pericles' aid as divinely ordained. Yet the scene also plants seeds of danger: Pericles is now tied to Tarsus and its people, which will later make him vulnerable when he leaves his newborn daughter in Cleon's care.
Original Shakespeare alongside modern English. Synced read-along narration in the app.
Hear Act 1, Scene 4, narrated.
