Troilus and Criseyde
Poetry
|
Geoffrey Chaucer
Troilus and Criseyde Main Text
Troilus and Criseyde
by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400)
Contents
BOOK I. Incipit Liber Primus
BOOK II. Incipit Prohemium Secundi Libri.
BOOK III. Incipit prohemium tercii libri.
BOOK IV. Incipit Prohemium Liber Quartus.
BOOK V. Incipit Liber Quintus.
BOOK I. Incipit Liber Primus
The double sorwe of Troilus to tellen, 1
That was the king Priamus sone of Troye,
In lovinge, how his aventures fell...
Read Troilus and Criseyde Main Text
"Troilus and Criseyde" key Facts
Key Facts:
Writer: Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340-1400)
Written Time: Mid-1380s
Source: "Il Filostrato," a narrative poem by the Italian poet Giovanni Boccaccio.
Tone: Tragic
Date of Publication: 1386
Genre: Medieval romance, Epic poem, Tragedy, and Courtly Love literature.
Lines: 8239
Parts/ Books: 5
Narrator: Pandarus (Maternal Uncle of Criseyde)
Point of View: An omniscient thir...
Expand "Troilus and Criseyde" key Facts
Troilus and Criseyde Themes
Themes:
Love and Desire: The central theme of the poem is love, specifically the passionate and often uncontrollable nature of romantic desire. Troilus falls hopelessly in love with Criseyde. This drives the plot.
Fate and Fortune: The theme of fate dominates the story, with characters often attributing their successes and failures to Fortune. Troilus believes that his fate is controlled by e...
Expand Troilus and Criseyde Themes
Troilus and Criseyde Literary Devices
Symbols:
The Temple of Palladium: The temple stands for fate and irony. Troilus mocks lovers here but later falls deeply in love.
Black Clothing: Criseyde wears black clothes to show sadness for her father’s betrayal. It also hints at future sorrow.
The Brooch: Symbol of Love. Later, it shows the betrayal
The Chivalrous Knight: Brave soldiers of that time
The Eagle: Troilus
The Boar:...
Expand Troilus and Criseyde Literary Devices
Troilus and Criseyde Characters
Characters:
Major Characters
Troilus: (Protagonist & Hero). Son of Trojan King Priam.
Criseyde: (Heroine) Troilus's beloved. A widow and daughter of Calchas.
Pandarus: Criseyde's uncle, Narrator.
Diomedes: Criseyde's lover in the Greek camp. Greek warrior.
Calchas: A soothsayer, father of Criseyde.
Hector: A Trojan Warrior, Troilus's brother.
Antenor: A general of Troy, Tro...
Expand Troilus and Criseyde Characters
Troilus and Criseyde Summry
Plot Summary
The Epic poem, Troilus and Criseyde, is divided into five separate books. In the first two books, the writer introduces Troilus and persuades Criseyde to fall in love with him. In the third book, the couple celebrates their love. In the fourth book, they are separated. The fifth one sketches their fates while they are apart.
About Trojans and Troilus: The story happens during the sieg...
Expand Troilus and Criseyde Summry
Troilus and Criseyde Quotes
Quotes:
“The double sorwe of Troilus to tellen,
That was the king Priamus sone of Troye,”
Explanation: The narrator, Geoffrey Chaucer, at the very beginning of Troilus and Criseyde, in Book I. The narrator introduces the story by forecasting the "double sorrow" of Troilus, the son of King Priam of Troy. The "double sorrow" refers to the twofold suffering Troilus will endure: first, his passionat...
Expand Troilus and Criseyde Quotes
Notes
Explore 15 detailed notes related to Troilus and Criseyde. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.