>Write on the tragic philosophy of love in Chaucer's 'Troilus and Criseyde". [2021, 2019] ✪✪✪
Or, 'Troilus and Criseyde' is a lover's tragedy. Evaluate. [2017]
Or, What tragic philosophy of the poet do you find in "Troilus and Criseyde"? [2015]
Geoffrey Chaucer’s (1340-1400) “Troilus and Criseyde” (1385) is one of the greatest love tragedies in English literature. It shows how love brings both joy and sorrow. Chaucer presents love as a powerful emotion that rules human hearts but also destroys peace. Through Troilus, Criseyde, and Pandarus, Chaucer shows the tragic philosophy that love is sweet yet short, powerful yet painful.
Troilus’s Pure Love and Sudden Fall: Troilus is the brave son of King Priam of Troy. He first laughs at lovers. He mocks others and says,
“O verrey foles! nyce and blinde be ye.”
(Oh, truly foolish people! You are silly and blind in love.)
Cupid, the god of love, did not like it. He shoots a love arrow in Troilus’s heart. So, inside the Temple of Palladion, he sees Criseyde and falls in love. She is a young widow. In Troilus’s eyes, Criseyde is now,
“So aungellyk was hir natyf beautee.”
(Her natural beauty was so angel-like.)
His proud heart becomes weak in love. Chaucer shows that love can suddenly change a man’s life. Troilus’s pride turns to pain. His passion begins his tragedy.
Pandarus's Role: Pandarus is Criseyde’s uncle. He tries to help Troilus. He becomes the messenger of love. He plans secret meetings and letters. He wants to unite the lovers. At first, Criseyde is hesitant, but eventually, she is moved by Troilus's genuine love. She decides to give him a chance. Their love blossoms, and they spend a happy and secret night together. But Pandarus’s plan becomes the hand of fate. His worldly wisdom cannot save Troilus. Chaucer’s tragic view is that human tricks cannot fight destiny.
Criseyde’s Weakness and Betrayal: Criseyde is gentle, kind, and fearful. When her father Calkas flees to the Greek camp, she stays in Troy under Hector’s protection. Later, she loves Troilus truly. But when she is exchanged to the Greek camp, her heart changes. Though she promises to return to Troilus, she never returns to Troy. Troilus becomes anxious. He writes letters to Criseyde, but her replies become less frequent and affectionate. His heart is broken when he gets the brooch he gave Criseyde as a token of his love in Diomedes' coat. Chaucer remarks,
“And eek a broche (and that was litel nede)
That Troilus was, she yaf this Diomedes.”
(“And also a brooch (though there was little need), she gave to Diomede — the same brooch that once belonged to Troilus.”)
So Troilus laments at the end,
“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?”)
Her weakness becomes the cause of tragedy. Love, in Chaucer’s view, is unstable.
The Role of Fate: Chaucer shows that no one can control fortune. The Wheel of Fortune turns high and low. Troilus reaches the height of love, then falls into misery. Fortune separates lovers. It makes joy short and sorrow long. The fall of Troy and the parting of lovers are both ruled by destiny.
The End- From Earthly Love to Heavenly Vision: At the end, Troilus dies in battle at the hand of Achilles. His soul rises above the stars. He looks down on the world and laughs at vain human desires. Chaucer writes that Troilus smiles at worldly sorrow. Here, love turns from human pain to divine peace. Chaucer’s tragic philosophy ends with a lesson: earthly love is changeable, but heavenly love is eternal.
Chaucer’s “Troilus and Criseyde” ends in deep sorrow. Love begins in joy but ends in loss. Troilus’s pure heart, Criseyde’s frailty, and Fortune’s cruelty show that love is both a blessing and a wound. Chaucer’s tragic vision is clear: earthly love fades, but true love rises beyond death.
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