Brief Questions in “Troilus and Criseyde”
Published: Nov 06, 2025
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
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.
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.
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.
Ans: Troy was an ancient city-state near the Aegean Sea in modern Turkey.
Ans: Priam was the King of Troy and the father of Hector and Troilus.
Ans: Calchas was a priest of Apollo and the father of Criseyde who left Troy after foreseeing its fall.
Ans: Hector was the eldest son of Priam and the brave commander of the Trojan army.
Ans: Palladium was a sacred festival held in honour of the goddess Pallas Athena.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ans: Deiphebus was a noble son of King Priam known for his honour and generosity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ans: Penelope was the faithful wife of Odysseus who waited twenty years for his return.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ans: Pharaoh was the title of the ancient kings of Egypt.
Ans: Courtly love was a refined form of romantic love practiced among nobles, marked by loyalty, courtesy, and devotion.