Dionyza: The Guardian Who Turns Murderer
First appears: Act 3, Scene 3
Dionyza and her husband Cleon were rescued from famine by Pericles. He leaves Marina in their care when she is a young child. Her orders to have Marina killed in Act 4 are presented as motivated purely by jealousy: Marina's accomplishments make Dionyza's own daughter look ordinary.
Her husband Cleon is horrified by the scheme; Dionyza goes through with it anyway. She hires Leonine to kill Marina and erects a false monument to her memory.
She is one of the play's most quietly disturbing villains precisely because her motive is so petty.
Key Scenes
Famous Quotes
“Thy oath remember; thou hast sworn to do't: 'Tis but a blow, which never shall be known.”
Dionyza — Act 4, Scene 1
“That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it; For who digs hills because they do aspire Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher.”
Dionyza — Act 1, Scene 4
Themes
Other Characters in Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Test Your Knowledge
Think you know your Shakespeare? Put it to the test with one of our free quizzes.
See all quizzes →