Tab Article

ratings: 4.3/5
Genre: Classic Literature, Drama, Romance, Shakespearean Play

Book Review:
'Pericles' is one of Shakespeare's later plays, and it marks a significant shift in his art. Moving away from the psychological intensity of the great tragedies, he enters a world of romance, fairy tale, and symbolic drama. The play is episodic, taking its hero on a series of adventures across the Mediterranean. He suffers shipwrecks, loses his wife (apparently to death), and is separated from his daughter. But the play is ultimately about restoration and redemption. Through a series of miraculous coincidences, Pericles is reunited with both his wife and daughter in one of the most moving recognition scenes in all of Shakespeare. The play is not as consistently brilliant as his greatest works—some scholars believe parts of it were written by a collaborator—but it has a unique charm and a powerful emotional arc. The brothel scenes with the virtuous Marina are disturbing and powerful, and the final scene, with its music and revelation, is deeply moving. This Wordsworth Classics edition is an affordable and accessible way to encounter this lesser-known but fascinating play. It reminds us that Shakespeare's genius extended beyond tragedy and comedy into the realm of mystical romance. For any student of Shakespeare or lover of his work, 'Pericles' is an essential piece of the puzzle, a play that points the way towards the final masterpieces, 'The Winter's Tale' and 'The Tempest.'