Brief Questions in "Troilus and Criseyde"

• To which century does Chaucer belong?

Ans: Chaucer belongs to the fourteenth century.

• What is the special characteristic of the 14th century?

Ans: The 14th century marked the end of the medieval age and the beginning of the modern age.

• Why is the 14th century called a turbulent century?

Ans: It is called a turbulent century because many wars, especially between England and France, caused unrest in Europe.

• When did the Hundred Years’ War take place?

Ans: The Hundred Years’ War began in 1338 and continued beyond the century.

• What was the result of the Hundred Years’ War?

Ans: England defeated France and developed a strong sense of patriotism.

• Why was the age of Chaucer called the Dawn of Reformation?

Ans: It was called so because religious beliefs and practices began to change in England.

• Why is Chaucer regarded as a realistic poet?

Ans: Chaucer is regarded as a realistic poet because he portrayed real men and women with human emotions.

• Why is Chaucer called the first national poet?

Ans: Chaucer is called the first national poet because his art reflects English life and character.

• Who is Tisiphone?

Ans: Tisiphone is one of the cruel Furies who punishes human hearts.

• Why does the poet pray to Tisiphone?

Ans: The poet prays to Tisiphone to help him write the sorrowful tale Troilus and Criseyde.

• Who is Criseyde?

Ans: Criseyde is the daughter of Calchas, a priest who left Troy, and she is the heroine of the poem.

• What is meant by “the double sorrow” of Troilus?

Ans: Troilus suffered twice—first in winning Criseyde’s love and then when she left him.

• What was Troy?

Ans: Troy was an ancient city-state near the Aegean Sea in modern Turkey.

• Who was Priam?

Ans: Priam was the King of Troy and the father of Hector and Troilus.

• Who was Calchas?

Ans: Calchas was a priest of Apollo and the father of Criseyde who left Troy after foreseeing its fall.

• Who is Hector?

Ans: Hector was the eldest son of Priam and the brave commander of the Trojan army.

• What is Palladium?

Ans: Palladium was a sacred festival held in honour of the goddess Pallas Athena.

• Who is Lollius?

Ans: Lollius is an imaginary writer mentioned by Chaucer as the source of Troilus’s song.

• What does Troilus confess in his song?

Ans: Troilus confesses that love is powerful and irresistible in the human heart.

• How does Pandarus offer to help Troilus in his love affair?

Ans: Pandarus offers to help Troilus because he himself has known love and its pains.

• What is vice according to Pandarus?

Ans: According to Pandarus, mistrusting everyone or believing everyone is a vice.

• Whom did Troilus mark out as his enemy?

Ans: Troilus thought that Fortune was his only enemy.

• How did Pandarus explain the role of Fortune?

Ans: Pandarus said that both joy and sorrow brought by Fortune are temporary.

• What is the speciality of Fortune?

Ans: Fortune’s wheel always turns—sometimes bringing joy and sometimes sorrow.

• Why does the poet invoke Clio, the Muse of history, in Book II?

Ans: The poet invokes Clio to help him narrate the story truthfully and beautifully.

• Why is the month of May called the mother of the happy months?

Ans: Because in May, nature blooms again with flowers and beauty after winter.

• How much does Troilus love Criseyde?

Ans: Troilus loves Criseyde so deeply that he feels he will die if she rejects him.

• In this critical situation of love, what does Criseyde decide?

Ans: Criseyde decides to act carefully and seeks Pandarus’s advice.

• Who is Mars?

Ans: Mars is the god of war, the son of Jupiter in Roman mythology.

• How did Troilus win the love of Criseyde?

Ans: Troilus won Criseyde’s love gradually through loyalty and service.

• Who is Antigone?

Ans: Antigone, Criseyde’s niece, sang a song of love that pleased Criseyde.

• What did Criseyde dream at night?

Ans: Criseyde dreamt that an eagle took her heart and replaced it with Troilus’s heart.

• Who is Venus?

Ans: Venus is the Roman goddess of love, known as Aphrodite in Greek mythology.

• Why did Criseyde refuse to read Troilus’s letter?

Ans: Criseyde feared that reading the letter might put her in danger.

• What does Troilus do before sealing his letter?

Ans: Troilus bathes the ruby of his ring in his tears before sealing the letter.

• Who was Deiphebus?

Ans: Deiphebus was a noble son of King Priam known for his honour and generosity.

• Who was Helen?

Ans: Helen was the beautiful wife of Menelaus who was taken to Troy by Paris.

• How does Pandarus refer to Criseyde when introducing her to Troilus?

Ans: Pandarus calls Criseyde the lady for whose love Troilus would die.

• Who was Horastes?

Ans: Horastes was a man with whom Criseyde was falsely said to be in love.

• What sort of vice does Criseyde declaim?

Ans: Criseyde condemns jealousy as a destructive vice in love.

• What does Troilus say in praise of love?

Ans: Troilus says that love rules the world and guides people through life’s troubles.

• Where do the nine sisters live?

Ans: The nine Muses live by Mount Helicon on the hill of Parnassus.

• Who is Antenor?

Ans: Antenor was a Trojan elder who supported returning Helen to the Greeks.

• What gossip does Calchas hear?

Ans: Calchas hears the news of the exchange of war prisoners.

• Who is Edipp?

Ans: Edipp is Oedipus, who blinded himself as punishment for his sins.

• What is Criseyde’s suggestion about the exchange proposal?

Ans: Criseyde agrees to go to the Greeks but promises to return to Troy within ten days.

• What oath does Criseyde take about her return?

Ans: She swears that if she fails to return or marries another, may she dwell forever in the river Styx.

• Who are the three Percae?

Ans: The three Percae are Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos—the goddesses of fate.

• What are these three sisters called in Greek?

Ans: In Greek, they are called the Moirai.

• Who is Sarpedon?

Ans: Sarpedon was the son of Zeus and a Trojan ally killed by Patroclus.

• How does Diomede recognise Troilus’s love for Criseyde?

Ans: Diomede realises Troilus’s love when he sees Criseyde grieving constantly for him.

• What are the physical features of Diomede?

Ans: Diomede was strong, broad-shouldered, and had a stern voice and bold nature.

• How did Criseyde welcome Diomede?

Ans: Criseyde welcomed Diomede kindly, offered him wine and spoke with him gently.

• What does Diomede tell Criseyde about Troy’s future?

Ans: Diomede tells her that Troy will soon be destroyed and all Trojans will die.

• Does Criseyde reject or accept Diomede’s love?

Ans: Criseyde does not clearly reject him and admits she might accept him later.

• What gifts does Criseyde give Diomede as love-tokens?

Ans: Criseyde gives Diomede a horse and a brooch as tokens of love.

• How does Troilus sign his first letter?

Ans: Troilus signs his letter as “Yours Troilus.”

• What does Troilus dream about Criseyde?

Ans: Troilus dreams that a wild boar embraces Criseyde and kisses her.

• Who is Penelope?

Ans: Penelope was the faithful wife of Odysseus who waited twenty years for his return.

• What is a Pagan?

Ans: A pagan is one who worships the ancient gods and goddesses of mythology.

• To whom does Chaucer dedicate his book?

Ans: Chaucer dedicates his book to John Gower and Strode.

• Who is Troilus?

Ans: Troilus is the youngest son of King Priam and the lover of Criseyde.

• Who is the father of Criseyde?

Ans: Calchas is the father of Criseyde.

• How does Book III of Troilus and Criseyde open?

Ans: Book III opens with a prayer to Venus, the goddess of love.

• Who is Diomede?

Ans: Diomede, the King of Argos, is a Greek hero who wins Criseyde’s love.

• How will Troilus avenge his sorrow?

Ans: Troilus plans to end his sorrow through death.

• What is Troilus’s reaction to Criseyde’s letter?

Ans: Troilus feels her love has changed but still hopes she will return.

• Why did the Greeks attack Troy?

Ans: The Greeks attacked Troy because Paris stole Helen from Menelaus.

• Who was Pandarus?

Ans: Pandarus was Criseyde’s uncle and the friend who helped Troilus in his love.

• What is the subject matter of Troilus’s song?

Ans: Troilus’s song speaks about the joys and pains of love.

• What does “the black sea” symbolize?

Ans: It symbolizes Troilus’s deep despair and sorrow in love.

• Whom does Chaucer invoke at the beginning of the poem?

Ans: Chaucer invokes Tisiphone, the Fury, to guide his sorrowful tale.

• Where did Criseyde see Troilus first?

Ans: Criseyde first saw Troilus in the temple of Apollo.

• Where did Pandarus put Criseyde at night?

Ans: Pandarus placed Criseyde in a private chamber.

• How does the poet describe Criseyde’s beauty?

Ans: The poet calls Criseyde a woman of angelic beauty and heavenly grace.

• After Cupid shoots Troilus, what is the first thing he sees?

Ans: Troilus first sees Criseyde after being struck by Cupid’s arrow.

• What is the setting of Troilus and Criseyde?

Ans: The poem is set in the city of Troy during the Trojan War.

• What was a Pharaoh?

Ans: Pharaoh was the title of the ancient kings of Egypt.

• What is courtly love?

Ans: Courtly love was a refined form of romantic love practiced among nobles, marked by loyalty, courtesy, and devotion.