Or, Write a note on the last days of Troilus' life. [2016]

Geoffrey Chaucer's (1340-1400) "Troilus and Criseyde" (1385) is a tragic poem. Troilus is a Trojan prince and a proud knight. He has spent the happiest life with Criseyde. But his sufferings started after the departure of Criseyde from Troy to the Greek camp. The last days of Troilus's life are marked by emotional turmoil.

Miserable Days of Troilus’s Life: Human is the subject of change. Criseyde promised that she would come back to Troilus within ten days. But she proved her promise false. She never returns. So, Troilus becomes very sad, and he passes ten days of anxiety. His heart wept secretly. 

On the ninth night, Troilus becomes anxious. He hopes for Criseyde’s return in the morning. He did not sleep that night. Finally, on the tenth day, Criseyde did not return. So, Troilus gets broken and bursts into tears. But he did not lose hope. He was hoping for Criseyde’s return, though Criseyde did not keep her promise. 

Heartbreaking Dream of Troilus: One night, Troilus dreamt that a boar had tightly enfolded Criseyde in his arms. Criseyde was frequently kissing the boar. Chaucer remarks,

“And by this boor, faste in his armes folde,  

Lay kissing ay his lady bright Criseyde:”

(And beside this boar, holding her tightly in his arms,

lay his lady fair, Criseyde, whom he kept kissing again and again.)

Betrayal of Criseyde: One day, Troilus is shocked at getting the brooch on the coat of Diomede. He gave it to Criseyde as a token of his love. He snatched away the brooch from Diomede. Troilus realizes that he has lost Criseyde forever. She will never come back. This covered his mind with sorrows. Troilus says,

“O lady myn Criseyde,

…………………………………….

Wher is your love, wher is your trouthe,”

(“O my lady Criseyde, where is your love now? 

Where is your faith and truth that you promised me?”)

Thus, Troilus’s life comes to an end. He meets with death as a prize for his false love.