Troilus and Criseyde: Analysis of Major Characters
"Troilus and Criseyde" is a narrative set against the backdrop of the Trojan War, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and tragedy through its major characters. Troilus, a young prince of Troy, initially dismisses love until he falls for Criseyde, a beautiful widow. As their relationship develops, Criseyde is reluctantly traded to the Greeks for the captured Trojan warrior Antenor, leading to deep emotional turmoil for Troilus, who is devastated when she does not return as promised. Criseyde, while initially devoted to Troilus, becomes enamored with Diomedes, a Greek soldier, complicating her feelings and loyalty.
Other significant figures include Priam, the king of Troy and Troilus's father, and Calchas, Criseyde's father, who facilitates her exchange. Pandarus, Criseyde’s uncle, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the romance between the two lovers. The story culminates in tragedy, with Troilus meeting his end at the hands of Achilles, a formidable Greek warrior, underscoring the interplay of love and war in this timeless tale. This rich character landscape offers insight into the human experience of love intertwined with the harsh realities of conflict and fate.
Troilus and Criseyde: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Geoffrey Chaucer
Genre: Poetry
Locale: Troy
Plot: Love
Time: Trojan War
Troilus (TROY-luhs), a young Prince of Troy. He scorns love until he falls in love with Criseyde, who then becomes his mistress until she is traded to the Greeks for a Trojan warrior. When Criseyde fails to return to Troy as she has promised, Troilus is grief-stricken. He is killed on the battlefield by Achilles, the great Greek warrior.
Priam (PRI-am), the king of Troy during the Trojan War. He is Troilus' father.
Criseyde (KREHS-ih-duh), a beautiful young widow. She fears that Troilus' love is dishonorable, but she becomes his mistress so he will not die of unrequited love. Although she loves him and vows to return to Troy, she falls in love with Diomedes, a young Greek, and remains in the Greek camp with him.
Calchas (KAL-kuhs), Criseyde's father. A soothsayer and prophet, he runs away from Troy to join the Greeks, who are fated to win the war. He arranges to have his daughter exchanged for Antenor, whom the Greeks have captured.
Pandarus (PAN-duh-ruhs), Criseyde's uncle. He arranges the details of the affair between Troilus and Criseyde.
Deiphobus (dee-IH-fuh-buhs), Troilus' brother. He enables the lovers to meet by inviting Troilus and Criseyde to dinner at his home.
Antenor (an-TEE-nohr), a Trojan warrior captured by the Greeks and exchanged for Criseyde.
Hector (HEHK-tohr), Troilus' brother. He does not wish to make the exchange of Criseyde for Antenor.
Diomedes (di-oh-MEE-deez), a handsome young Greek. Criseyde falls in love with him and hence fails to return to Troilus.
Achilles (uh-KIHL-eez), the mightiest of the Greek warriors. He slays Troilus on the battlefield.