# Helicanus — Pericles character guide

> Helicanus in Pericles by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Helicanus Sir, Helicanus Lord Thaliard, Helicanus For honour, Helicanus Gentlemen, Helicanus Kneeling, Old Helicanus, lord Helicanus, noble Helicane, Lord Helicane, Helicane

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-ii

## Snapshot

Helicanus, loyal lord of Tyre, dares to speak hard truth to his prince and governs the realm when Pericles vanishes.

## Who they are

Helicanus answers Pericles's anger with the plain question of how plants dare look at heaven, showing a counselor who trusts his own integrity more than royal favor. When Pericles flees Antioch, Helicanus holds Tyre together and later recounts Antiochus's fiery end as proof that the gods collect on incest. His steady presence gives the play its moral anchor while its hero wanders.

## Relationships

### [Pericles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/characters/pericles)

_friendship_

Helicanus is Pericles' loyal and wise counselor, governing Tyre faithfully in his absence.

### [Marina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/characters/marina)

_social_

Helicanus meets Marina after her reunion with Pericles, recognizing her as the lost princess.

### [Pericles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/characters/pericles)

_friendship_

Helicanus is Pericles' loyal and wise counselor, governing Tyre faithfully in his absence.

### [Pericles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/characters/pericles)

_friendship_

Helicanus is Pericles' loyal and wise counselor, governing Tyre faithfully in his absence.

### [Marina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/characters/marina)

_social_

Helicanus meets Marina after her reunion with Pericles, recognizing her as the lost princess.

### [Marina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/characters/marina)

_social_

Helicanus meets Marina after her reunion with Pericles, recognizing her as the lost princess.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Loyal counselor who rebukes flattery, advises Pericles to travel for safety, and is entrusted with the governance of Tyre.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Explains Pericles' departure to the lords and welcomes Thaliard.

### [Scene IV: The Counsel of Tyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Reports Antiochus's divine punishment and persuades the lords to delay electing a new king, advocating loyalty to Pericles.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Mentioned as accompanying Pericles, with Escanes left to govern.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Loyal counsellor to Pericles, who explains the king's sorrow to Lysimachus and witnesses the reunion.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Hails Thaisa as queen and is recognized by her as the ancient substitute Pericles left behind in Tyre.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/characters/helicanus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pericles_se/characters