Summary
King Simonides and his daughter Thaisa evaluate the knights who have come to the jousting tournament.
The other knights mock Pericles for his rusty armor and disheveled appearance, but he ends up winning the entire tournament.
Later, at a banquet, Thaisa asks Pericles where he is from, and he explains that he is the Prince of Tyre recently shipwrecked. Simonides takes a liking to Pericles and Pericles notes that Simonides reminds him of his own father. Pericles also remarks that his life has changed significantly since he left Tyre.
Meanwhile, in Tyre, Helicanus reveals that Antiochus and his daughter were punished by the gods with death by fire.
Several lords of Tyre entreat Helicanus to crown himself king in Pericles's absence, but Helicanus refuses.
Still in Pentapolis, Pericles learns through a letter that Thaisa desires to marry him. Fearing that Simonides will be upset with his daughter's choice to marry a stranger, Pericles explains that he meant no offense by appearing in the jousting tournament.
Simonides pretends to be unhappy with the proposed marriage and offers to "punish" Thaisa by making her and Pericles man and wife. He clasps their hands together and marries them right away.
Analysis
The second act of the play follows Pericles as he finds his eventual wife, Thaisa. However, it also features scenes from Tyre, where Helicanus is temporarily ruling in Pericles's absence. That the play shows both the action of Pentapolis and that of Tyre, while also alluding to the death of Antiochus, showcases the play's interest in power and kingship.
Featured in Act Two are three types of rulers: the first is Antiochus, whose incestuous relationship with his daughter was punished by the gods when the two of them were struck with a fire bolt and burned to death. Antiochus is therefore an example of an ineffective, corrupt, and selfish ruler who abused his power.
The second ruler to appear in this part of the play is Simonides, king of Pentapolis and Thaisa's father. Simonides is taken with Pericles and offers himself as a friend after hearing of his hardship, suggesting that he is a kindhearted and benevolent ruler. Moreover, Simonides is in many ways presented as a foil to Antiochus: while Antiochus attempted to maintain control over his daughter, Simonides allows Thaisa to choose her own husband and blesses the marriage. Thus, the play presents Simonides as a responsible, fair, and compassionate king, offering him up as a role model for Pericles in his own kingship.
Finally, in the scenes from Tyre audiences see how Helicanus, Pericles's counselor, is also touted as an exceptionally ethical and effective leader. Having earlier advised Pericles to listen to advisors with experience rather than those who simply attempt to flatter him, Helicanus maintains this balanced and honest demeanor as leader of Tyre while Pericles is away. Despite the fact that the other lords encourage him to take up the throne of Tyre for himself, Helicanus remains loyal to Pericles, whom he sees as the only true ruler of Tyre. This behavior is significant because it showcases yet another form of effective rule – the selfless decision to indeed reject kingship altogether in favor of someone else's governance.
Act Two therefore presents audiences with a number of versions of kingship, encouraging viewers to question what makes a good leader and how effective leadership may be rewarded (as well as how corrupt leadership may be punished).
