Pericles · Character

Cleon

Governor of famine-struck Tarsus who owes Pericles his city, then lets his wife's jealousy poison his gratitude.

supporting

Also known as Cleon O Dionyza, Cleon O, exeunt Cleon, Till cruel Cleon, savage Cleon, wicked Cleon, Cleon Heavens

First appearance: Scene IV: The Relief of Tarsus

See Cleon in Scene IV: The Relief of Tarsus Book page

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Cleon first appears as a ruler whose people are starving, saved when Pericles arrives with grain and asks nothing in return. He accepts Marina as a ward and raises her alongside his own daughter, but his authority…

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See Cleon in Scene IV: The Relief of Tarsus

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Cleon sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Friendship
Professional
Other

Character groups

Brothel and Ephesus characters
Protagonist

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Thaisa’s despair…

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Relationships

Marina
rivalry · negative
Pericles
friendship · negative
Leonine
professional · negative
Leonine
professional · negative
Pericles
friendship · negative
Marina
rivalry · negative

Marina
Cleon, entrusted with Marina's care, grows jealous of her virtues and orders her murder.
Pericles
Cleon is initially a friend and host to Pericles, but later betrays him by harming Marina.
Leonine
Cleon hires Leonine as his servant to carry out the murder of Marina.
Leonine
Cleon hires Leonine as his servant to carry out the murder of Marina.
Pericles
Cleon is initially a friend and host to Pericles, but later betrays him by harming Marina.
Marina
Cleon, entrusted with Marina's care, grows jealous of her virtues and orders her murder.

Relationship notes

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See Cleon in Scene IV: The Relief of Tarsus

In the story

Cleon appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene IV: The Relief of Tarsus
Governor of Tarsus, despairing over the city's famine and initially suspicious of the arriving ships.
Scene I
Mentioned as the intended caretaker for the infant in Tarsus.
Scene III
Accepts responsibility for Marina's upbringing, recalling Pericles' aid to Tarsus.
Scene III
Horrified by the murder of Marina, he laments the deed and fears Pericles' reaction, but is ultimately swayed by Dionyza's pragmatism.
Scene IV
Shows Pericles the tomb of Marina, complicit in the deception.
Scene I
Mentioned as the cruel king who, with his wife, sought to murder Marina.

Chapter companion notes

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See Cleon in Scene IV: The Relief of Tarsus