Special Sub-Topic: Troilus and Cressida Click Here To Play: Troilus and Cressida

When the play began, Troilus was speaking to Panderus about Cressida. Who was Cressida to Panderus?

Niece. When the play took place, it had been seven years since the Trojan war began. Troilus was a Trojan prince and Cressida was the niece of Panderus. He was trying to get Troilus and Cressida together, even remarking that Troilus was the strongest of all the Trojan men. Cressida loved Troilus, but she loved his pursuit of her better.

Who said, "I have lov'd you night and day for many weary months."?

Cressida. When Panderus brought Cressida to see Troilus, she exclaimed that she loved him and he admitted that he loved her. Cressida told Troilus that she loved him from the first moment they laid eyes on each other but because she was a woman she couldn't speak of her love for him first.

What happened to Cressida's father, Calchas?

He deserted to the Greek camp. Calchas was the priest for the city of Troy. Shortly after the war began, Calchas ran off to join the Greek camp. He left Cressida in Troy until he could come for her.

Cressida was traded by the Trojans for Antenor. Who was Antenor to the Trojans?

Commander in the army. A Greek commander named Diomedes brought Antenor to Troy in exchange for Cressida. Troilus and Cressida were in her bedroom when Aenas came to get Cressida to take her to Diomedes. Troilus' father wouldn't help him keep Cressida in Troy.

How did Troilus threaten to harm Diomedes if Cressida was not treated well?

Cut his throat. Once Troilus realized he couldn't save Cressida, they promised to be faithful to each other until they could be reunited. When Diomedes returned for Cressida, Troilus threatened to cut his throat if she was harmed. Diomedes told Troilus that he would treat her as she deserved.

When Cressida arrived at the Greek camp, she was treated horribly.

f. When Cressida arrived at the Greek camp, she was flanked by kisses from everyone but Ulysses. Troilus arrived at the Greek camp later that day to see the fight between Ajax and Hector and that evening sneaked off to see Cressida.

When Troilus arrived at the tent that Cressida was sharing with her father, who did he see with Cressida?

Diomedes. Troilus was accompanied by Ulysses when they sneaked off to Cressida's tent. Troilus saw Cressida flirting with Diomedes. When Diomedes left Cressida's tent, Troilus vowed to kill him during battle the next morning.

What item did Cressida give to Pandarus to give to Troilus that he later ripped apart?

A note. Before Cressida left for the Greek camp, she and Troilus exchanged gifts. Troilus gave Cressida a sleeve from his shirt. Right before battle, Cressida gave Pandarus a note to give to Troilus. Without reading the note, Troilus ripped it up in front of Pandarus.

Did Troilus kill Diomedes like he vowed that he would?

n. Achilles' friend Patroclus and Troilus' brother Hector were killed in the battle that took place the day after Cressida came to the Greek camp.

Troilus returned to Cressida's side after the battle.

f. Troilus didn't like the Cressida he saw betray him with Diomedes, so he didn't go back to her, but instead returned to Troy.