Troilus and Criseyde

By Geoffrey Chaucer

1382 - 1386
 Troilus and Criseyde
Middle English, Epic Poem, Love Story

 Set in Troy, Ancient Greece

 Main source – Boccaccio’s ll Filostrato

 5 Books, 8,239 lines

 Witten in Rhyme Royal (ab ab bcc)

 Combination of Romance and Tragedy

 Characters
 Troilus – A Trojan Prince and warrior

 Criseyde – A young widow, Calkas’ daughter

 Calkas – A Trojan preist, Criseyde’s father

 Pandarus – Cirseyde’s uncle and Troilus’ friend

 Hector – Prince of Troy, Troilus’ brother

 Diomedes – A Greek warrior

 Antenor – A Trojan warrior prisoned by the Greeks

 Achilles – A warrior who kills Troilus in the battle

Plot
 Book 1- Troilus’ Love

Troilus’s double sorrow for to tell,

he that was son of Priam King of Troy,
and how, in loving, his adventures fell
from grief to good, and after out of joy,
my purpose is, before I make envoy.
Tisiphone, do you help me, so I might
pen these sad lines, that weep now as I write.
 Book 2 – Love Encouraged

Out of these black waves for to sail,

O wind, O wind, begin the weather to clear:
for in this sea the boat has such travail,
that with my cunning I can hardly steer.
This sea I call the tempestuous matter
of the despair that Troilus was in:
but now the first days of hope begin.
 Book 3 – The consummation

O Blissful light, of which the beams clear

adorn all the third heaven fair!
O sun’s beloved, O Jove’s daughter dear,
pleasure of love, O grace of air,
in gentle hearts and ready to live there!
O true cause of health and gladness,
blessed be your power and your goodness!
 Book 4 – The Separation
Oh you Holy Ones, Night’s daughters three,
who endlessly complain ever in painfulness,
Megaera, Alecto, and Tisiphone:
you cruel Mars too, father of Quirinus,
this fourth book help me finish, just,
so that the loss of life and love together
of Troilus may be fully showed here.
 Book 5 – The Betrayal
Began to near the fatal destiny
that Jove has in his disposition
and to you, angry Parcae, sisters three
is committed for its execution:
by which Cressida must leave the town,
and Troilus shall live on in pain
till Lachesis cease to spin again.
Characterization
 Complex and Human
 Themes
 Love & Desire

 Betrayal

 Fate and Fortune

 Human Condition

 Loyalty & Oaths

 Gender & Society

 Time & Change

 Honor & Chivalry

Thank You