The play Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare is based on Geoffrey Chaucer's poem from the 1380s. It is set during the Trojan War and focuses on the love between Troilus, a Trojan prince, and Cressida, whose father has defected to the Greek side. Through the manipulation of Cressida's uncle, they pledge their love. However, Cressida is then traded to the Greeks and later betrays Troilus. Heartbroken, Troilus vows revenge in battle, but Hector is killed and Troilus himself is later murdered, leaving the play with no resolution to the conflict.
1. Shakespeare Research
Assignment
Drew Gardiner 10Ro Written by William Shakespeare
2. • Troilus is the main character in the
comedy ‘Troilus & Cressida’ written by
William Shakespeare in 1602 based on the
tragedy ‘Troilus & Criseyde’ written by
Geoffrey Chaucer in the mid 1380’s
• The play is set in the seventh year
of the famous Trojan War
3. In he seventh year of the Trojan War, a Trojan prince named
Troilus falls in love with Cressida, daughter of a Trojan priest who
has defected to the Greek side. Cressida's uncle Pandarus tries
to bring them together, and they swear to be true to one
another. But when Calchas, Cressida’s father,
convinces the Greek commander to trade a
Trojan prisoner for his daughter-much to
Troilus & Cressida's dismay-they are split apart.
Then when a hiding Troilus sees Cressida
agreeing to become Diomedes (a Greek prince) lover.
The next day, Troilus, furious & heart broken, accompanied his
brother Hector on the battle field. Hector is slaughtered by
Achilles and the play ends with the Trojans retreating to the city
to grieve for their fallen hero. Troilus is murdered by the Greeks
soon after.
4. Troilus is trying to battle against Cressida’s father Calchas to keep
her with him. Calchas won’t stop until he has taken Cressida back.
This conflict ends with the trade of Cressida for a
Trojan prisoner. Also there is conflict between the
Trojans and Greeks. The war occurs because
Troilus’ older brother Paris steals the beautiful
Helen from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta,
and brings her back to Troy with him. So Menelaus gathers all of
his fellow Greek kings, and they sail to Troy, hoping to take hold of
the city and reclaim Helen his wife.
5. When Pandarus, Cressida’s uncle, brings Troilus & Cressida
together. They promise to be true to one another.
Cressida doubts whether what she is doing is
right. Troilus reassures her and again pledges
to be faithful. Pandarus observes them, and then
leads them off to a secluded bedchamber to
consummate their passion.
6. There is not much of a resolution in this play. Troilus takes to the
battle field with Hector his brother. Troilus mocks Hector for being
too merciful to his enemies in the past, saying that today he plans
to slay as many men as he can. Later on in the
battle Hector is cornered by Achilles and his fellow
Greeks, and they stab Hector to death and then
drag his dead body around the walls of Troy.
Grief stricken, Troilus leads the Trojans back to
the city to bring the bad news. The play ends
with Troilus cursing Pandarus on the way back to the city. So there
is not much of a resolution because the conflict is not resolved.
7. Cressida's father, Calchas, who has betrayed Troy in order to join
the Greeks, asks the Greek general to grant him a favour. He asks
that they exchange the Trojan commander Antenor, who they
recently captured, for his daughter, so that he might be reunited
with her.
Cressida tells Diomedes that she will wait for him until later when
he comes to sleep with her. All this is said whilst Troilus is listening
in hiding. Heartbroken and Furious, he swears that he shall kill
Diomedes the next day in battle.
8.
9. A prince of Troy. Troilus is described as a valiant warrior and an
honorable man.
Troilus develops a relationship with Cressida's
uncle Pandarus who is assisting him in trying to
win Cressida’s affection. Troilus and Pandarus
have a good relationship until the end of the
play when Troilus curses at Pandarus.
Troilus and Cressida’s relationship is one of love and this bond
blossoms when they are taken to a secluded bedchamber to
consummate their passion. However Troilus is betrayed by
Cressida and his fury drives him to battle the next day.
10. Troilus is the victim when Cressida betrays him and this drives him to
battle the next day which ends in the tragic murder of his brother
Hector.
By the end of the play Troilus has lost. He loses
Cressida to another man and he also loses his
brother. He has learnt when finally realizes that his beloved is not
all that he thought she was, and cries in despair
“This she? No, this is Diomedes' Cressida.
If beauty have a soul, this is not she; If souls guide vows, if vows be sanctimonies,
If sanctimony be the gods delight, If there be rule in unity itself, This was not she.”
(V.ii.134-139)
