Pericles by Shakespeare on the Road

While visiting Antioch, young Prince Pericles of Tyre discovers (through a riddle) that King Antiochus is having an incestuous affair with his daughter. Fearing for his life, Pericles goes on the lam, entrusting his throne to the loyal Helicanus.

Pericles delivers a shipload of grain to the famine-stricken land of Tarsus and earns the gratitude of Governor Cleon. Pericles sets off again but is shipwrecked in Pentapolis. He enters a royal tournament and wins the love of Princess Thaisa.

Informed of the deaths of King Antiochus and daughter, Pericles hurries (with his pregnant wife) to reclaim his throne. En route to Tyre, Thaisa seems to die in childbirth and is buried at sea. The grieving Pericles leaves his new daughter, Marina, at Tarsus in the care of Governor Cleon's wife, Dyoniza.

Meanwhile, Thaisa's casket washes up on the shores of Ephesus. Thaisa is revived and installed as a priestess of Diana.

Many years pass and the beautiful, gifted Marina incurs the jealousy of Dyoniza, who orders the girl killed. Pirates interrupt the murder but then sell Marina to a brothel in Mytilene. To the frustration of her "keepers," Marina protects her virginity by preaching virtue to her clients.

Pericles returns to Tarsus for Marina but is told she died. Crushed, Pericles sails again toward Tyre. En route, his ship anchors off the coast of Mytilene, and Pericles encounters his daughter, now a famous singer/dancer. Guided by a dream vision, Pericles travels with Marina to Ephesus where they are reunited with Thaisa.