Minor Characters

Helicanus - The prototype of a good and faithful courtier and advisor. He is wise and experienced, but above all faithful to Pericles. He has no craving for power or wealth.

Cerimon - A rich and learned nobleman of Ephesus. Cerimon is a healer and a holy man who rescues Thaisa.

Thaisa - He also acts as a facilitator for the reunion of Pericles and Thaisa at the temple of Ephesus.

Lysimachus - The noble governor of Mytilene, he is married to Marina at the end of the play. Lysimachus is initially a weak character who disguises himself to patron the brothel where Marina is a prisoner. Eventually she reforms him, and he helps to bring her in contact with her father, Pericles.

Simonides - Described as "the good Simonides" he is the king of Pentapolis and father of Thaisa. He is a benign, just, and hospitable king who makes Pericles his heir after his marriage with Thaisa. He is a positive role model for Pericles, since he reminds the young prince of his own father.

Antiochus - The powerful king of Antioch is projected as the negative example of a ruler. Powerful and immoral, he has an incestuous relationship with his daughter. He is a tyrant and puts to death any suitor for her hand.

Dionyza - The jealous and domineering wife of Cleon. Envious of Marina's superiority to her own daughter, she arranges to have her murdered. She is an ungrateful friend and an unscrupulous guardian. She also dominates the weaker Cleon, instigating his moral downfall.

Thaliard - He is a nobleman of Antioch who is ordered by his king to find Pericles and murder him. He pursues the task half- heartedly and is happy to give it up.

Leonine - A servant of Dionyza who is instructed to murder Marina. He fails when pirates carry her off.

A brothel - keeper, his wife, and their servant, Boult - These three characters buy Marina from the pirates and attempt to auction her virginity to the highest bidder. Marina outwits them and is ultimately allowed to leave the brothel.

Lychorida - Marina's nurse. After Thaisa's death, she cares for the infant Marina at Tarsus until her own death fourteen years later.

Gower - The poet/narrator. He was the source of an earlier version of Pericles' story. Shakespeare uses him as a chorus to knit the episodes of the play together.

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