Pericles by William Shakespeare (Vintage 1965 Hardcover)

“Pericles, Prince of Tyre” is a play written by William Shakespeare, possibly in collaboration with George Wilkins, and was first performed in 1608. The play follows the life of Pericles, a prince who faces numerous challenges and misfortunes as he journeys across the Mediterranean.

At the beginning of the play, Pericles competes in a tournament to win the hand of the princess of Antioch. However, he discovers that the princess and her father have been engaging in an incestuous relationship, and he is forced to flee for his life.

Pericles then embarks on a series of adventures, including a shipwreck, encounters with pirates, and a visit to the kingdom of Tarsus, where he saves the people from famine. Along the way, he falls in love with Thaisa, the daughter of the king of Pentapolis, and they marry.

However, their happiness is short-lived when Thaisa apparently dies in childbirth, and Pericles entrusts her body to the sea. He then leaves his daughter Marina in the care of the ruler of Tarsus, but she is later sold into prostitution.

In the final act of the play, Pericles is reunited with his daughter and Thaisa, who was not dead but had been rescued by a group of fishermen. The family is reunited, and Pericles becomes the king of Tyre.

“Pericles” is a complex play that deals with themes of love, loss, and redemption. It is also notable for its use of language and imagery, as well as its structure, which includes several flashbacks and jumps in time. While it is not as well-known as some of Shakespeare’s other works, “Pericles” has been praised for its emotional depth and vivid storytelling.