How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
With whom the father liking took,
And her to incest did provoke:
Bad child; worse father! to entice his own
To evil should be done by none: (1.Prologue.25-28)
We learn almost right away that Antiochus has been sleeping with his own daughter. The incestuous relationship is so terrifying to our hero that Pericles high-tails it out of Antioch about 0.5 seconds after he figures out what's going on. We've got some questions, Shmoopers. When Pericles discovers the ugly truth about Antioch and his daughter in Act 1, Scene 1, why doesn't he rat out the king? Why keep the guy's secret? Also, if Pericles is supposed to be our hero, why does he run away from the problem instead of confronting Antiochus? Let us know when you work that one out.
Quote #2
But custom what they did begin
Was with long use account no sin. (1.Prologue.29-30)
Apparently, Antiochus and his daughter have been hooking up for such a long time that neither one of them thinks there's anything wrong with it. Gower, on the other hand, makes it pretty clear that he disapproves.
Quote #3
Before thee stands this fair Hesperides,
With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd;
For death-like dragons here affright thee hard: (1.1.27-29)
You probably noticed how Antiochus's daughter is always getting compared to yummy fruit in this scene of the play. It starts with Pericles, who compares his desire for her to a desire to "taste the fruit of yon celestial tree"(1.1.21).