Pericles · Character

Marina

Born at sea and raised by strangers, she survives a brothel with her virtue intact and her parentage unknown.

major

Also known as Marina Alack, Marina Whither, Marina Prithee, Marina Sir, Marina Patience

First appearance: act iii

As a major figure in Pericles, Marina is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Born during the storm; Pericles decides to leave her in Tarsus for safety.

In the storyScene IOpen this moment free

See Marina in Scene I Book page

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Marina grows up in Tarsus as a governor's ward, gifted enough that her guardian's wife begins to see her as a threat to her own daughter's prospects. Sold into a Mytilene brothel, she refuses every customer with such eloquence that she converts would-be clients and infuriates the owners who cannot profit from her. Her resemblance to a woman she has never met becomes the thread that could pull a shattered king back into the world.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Marina sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Marina in act iii

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Family
Social
Other

Character groups

Brothel and Ephesus characters
Protagonist

+13 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…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Bawd
professional · negative
The Bawd owns Marina as a prostitute in the brothel, exploiting her for profit. How this plays out →
Leonine
rivalry · negative
Pericles
family · positive
Helicanus
social · positive
Cleon
rivalry · negative
Thaisa
family · positive
Pericles
family · positive
Pericles
family · positive
Helicanus
social · positive
Helicanus
social · positive
Leonine
rivalry · negative
Thaisa
family · positive

Bawd
The Bawd owns Marina as a prostitute in the brothel, exploiting her for profit.
Leonine
Leonine is hired by Cleon to murder Marina, acting as her would-be assassin.
Pericles
Marina is Pericles' long-lost daughter, and their reunion brings him back from despair.
Helicanus
Helicanus meets Marina after her reunion with Pericles, recognizing her as the lost princess.
Cleon
Cleon, entrusted with Marina's care, grows jealous of her virtues and orders her murder.
Thaisa
Thaisa is Marina's mother, separated at birth and reunited at the play's end.
Pericles
Marina is Pericles' long-lost daughter, and their reunion brings him back from despair.
Pericles
Marina is Pericles' long-lost daughter, and their reunion brings him back from despair.
Helicanus
Helicanus meets Marina after her reunion with Pericles, recognizing her as the lost princess.
Helicanus
Helicanus meets Marina after her reunion with Pericles, recognizing her as the lost princess.
Leonine
Leonine is hired by Cleon to murder Marina, acting as her would-be assassin.
Thaisa
Thaisa is Marina's mother, separated at birth and reunited at the play's end.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Marina in act iii

In the story

Marina appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I
Born during the storm; Pericles decides to leave her in Tarsus for safety.
Scene III
Infant daughter of Pericles, left in the care of Cleon and Dionyza.
Scene I
Innocent and pleading for her life; recounts her birth during a storm; is abducted by pirates.
Scene II
Captured by pirates and sold to the brothel, Marina defiantly vows to keep her virginity, invoking Diana's protection.
Scene V
Though not present on stage, her preaching of divinity within the brothel has transformed the gentlemen's attitudes.
Scene VI
Marina defends her chastity with eloquent speech, converts Lysimachus, and negotiates with Boult to teach rather than be a prostitute.
Scene I
Brought to Pericles to heal him with her music and words; she reveals her identity as his daughter.
Scene II
Fair Marina, betrothed to Pericles, awaiting the fulfillment of his vow.
Scene III
Recognized by Pericles as his daughter and kneels to Thaisa, expressing joy at being reunited with her mother.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Marina unlock in the free preview.

See Marina in act iii

See Marina in Scene I