Pericles is the young prince of Tyre. He travels across the Mediterranean seeking a suitable bride but flees his home after uncovering a dangerous secret about King Antiochus. Stripped of his worldly possessions by violent storms at sea, he relies on his humility and moral character to survive. He deeply values honest counsel and acts with concern for the safety of his citizens.

Marina is the daughter of Pericles and Thaisa. Raised in Tarsus by Cleon and Dionyza after her mother's apparent death, she grows into a highly skilled and intelligent young woman. She excels at singing, sewing, and teaching. When forced into exploitative captivity by pirates, she relies on her quick wit and unshakeable moral center to survive and secure her independence.

Thaisa is the princess of Pentapolis. She chooses Pericles as her husband despite his lack of flashy armor or outward wealth, demonstrating her ability to judge inner character. Following a traumatic childbirth at sea, she washes ashore in Ephesus. Believing her family lost to the ocean, she takes a vow to live as a priestess of Diana.

Antiochus is the tyrannical ruler of Antioch. He maintains a facade of nobility while engaging in severe moral corruption, including an incestuous relationship with his own daughter. He uses extreme violence to protect his secrets, executing suitors who fail his riddle and sending assassins after those who solve it.

Cleon is the governor of Tarsus. Though he initially appears grateful and loyal to Pericles for saving his city from starvation, his weak will makes him complicit in terrible crimes. He values his own comfort and reputation over the vows he makes to protect those entrusted to him.

Dionyza is the wife of Cleon and a leading figure in Tarsus. While she presents a beautiful and caring exterior, she hides a ruthless and jealous nature. She views Marina as a threat to her own daughter's social prospects and actively plots to remove the girl by any means necessary.

The unnamed princess of Antioch is renowned across the world for her physical beauty. She acts as the lure in her father's deadly marriage tests. Though praised for her outward perfection, her life is entirely defined by the horrific, unlawful relationship she shares with her father.

John Gower is the choric narrator of the play, based on a historical medieval poet. Resurrected from the ashes of history, he serves as a guide for the audience, spanning the wide gaps of time and geography in the story. He provides moral commentary on the actions of the characters.

Helicanus is a senior lord and trusted advisor in Tyre. He is unafraid to speak the blunt truth to Pericles, a quality the prince highly values. When Pericles leaves the city to avoid war, Helicanus manages the kingdom effectively and refuses to usurp the throne despite the urging of the local nobility.

Simonides is the king of Pentapolis. He is a jovial, perceptive ruler who genuinely cares for his daughter's happiness. He tests suitors on their character and humility rather than their wealth, making him an ideal political and paternal role model for the young Pericles.

Lychorida is the nurse assigned to Thaisa and later to Marina. She delivers the tragic news of Thaisa's apparent death to Pericles and becomes the primary maternal figure for Marina during her early years in Tarsus.

Cerimon is a wealthy and skilled physician in Ephesus who works tirelessly to heal the sick. He values virtue and knowledge over material riches. When a sealed casket washes ashore, he uses his extensive medical expertise to revive the woman inside.

Thaliard is a trusted servant and assassin employed by Antiochus. He tracks Pericles to Tyre with orders to murder him, operating under the threat that failing his mission means his own death.

Leonine is a hired assassin employed by Dionyza. He views murder as a professional duty, though he hesitates briefly when his target attempts to appeal to his conscience.

Philoten is the daughter of Cleon and Dionyza. She grows up alongside Marina but is constantly overshadowed by her foster-sister's exceptional beauty and talents, sparking her mother's murderous jealousy.

Bawd is the ruthless madame of a brothel in Mytilene. She views the people she traffics as raw commodities to be broken and exploited for maximum profit, lacking any sympathy for their suffering.

Pandar operates the Mytilene brothel alongside Bawd. He hopes to make enough money from trafficking to retire, viewing his profession as a normal, if difficult, business venture.

Boult works as a scout and enforcer for the Mytilene brothel. He purchases Marina from the pirates and actively advertises her in the city. He is lecherous and violent, though he eventually proves capable of reasoning when Marina appeals to his desire for a better life.

Lysimachus is the governor of Mytilene. He arrives at the local brothel seeking a virgin, but claims he only entered to check on the state of his city after Marina confronts him with moral reasoning. He ultimately respects Marina and helps her establish a safe life in Mytilene.

Escanes is a lord of Tyre who works closely with Helicanus. He helps manage the kingdom while Pericles is away and takes on leadership duties when Helicanus travels to seek out their missing prince.

Philemon is an attendant who works in the household of Cerimon in Ephesus. He assists the physician in his medical procedures and helps care for the desperate people who arrive at their door.

Diana is the Greco-Roman virgin goddess of the hunt and a key spiritual figure for the characters. Thaisa dedicates herself to Diana's temple in Ephesus, and the goddess intervenes directly to guide the scattered royal family.