In Shakespeare’s Pericles, there are a lot of scenes and acts that are emblematic of this play, but 4.4 is the most important one to pay attention to. In 4.4, Gower informs the audience of Pericles’ arrival in Tarsus. He also mentions how Pericles learns of his daughter’s death and vows to live in perpetual mourning. 4.4 is emblematic of the play because it emphasizes Gower’s role within the play. Without Gower, no one would know what was going on or what was happening with certain characters.
Gower is one of the crucial aspects of the play, so highlighting this scene where he is yet again, informing everyone of what is happening with Pericles is extremely important to do. For Gower’s part in this act, I would ask him to project his voice. Without the projection, there is no emphasis on what he is saying. Gower shouldn’t be speaking with a solemn tone either. His tone shifts through his part, so the actor would have to be aware of those changes.
For instance, Gower says, “Making to take our imagination/From bourn to bourn, region to region./By you being pardoned, we commit no crime/To use one language in each several clime/Where our scenes seems to live” (4.4.3-7). His tone in this passage is almost dreamy, but optimistic, especially since he is referring to Pericles. However, his tone shifts to a bit of a saddened and slightly disruptive one he describes the moment that Pericles learns that Marina is dead.
To be Gower, the actor would have to realize the wisdom and burden that Gower beholds. Gower knows all, but he doesn’t tell all, which can be seen in 4.4 when he says, “Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead,/And bear his courses to be orderèd” and “Patience, then,/And think you now are all in Mytilene” (4.4.47-48, 51-52). It’s not that Gower doesn’t want to help, it’s just that Pericles has to live out his story and Gower can’t interfere, so the actor would have to endure this dilemma.
I would also want a spotlight on Gower, but have it dim when Pericles arrives so what he does can be focused on. I would also have Gower’s position be pivotal throughout the scene. For instance, in the beginning of 4.4, Gower would be center stage and the spotlight would be bright, but when Pericles arrives, Gower would then move to the side in an observatory position and his spotlight would dim a bit.
Works Cited:
Shakespeare, William. Pericles. Folger Digital Texts. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine with Michael Poston and Rebecca Niles. Folger Shakespeare Library. Created on Apr 23, 2016, from FDT version 0.9.0.1. https://shakespeare.folger.edu/shakespeares-works/pericles/act-4-scene-4/. Accessed April 21, 2022.