Troilus and Criseyde Characters
T
Troilus
Protagonist
Heroic
Devoted lover
Loyal
Idealistic
Son of Trojan King Priam and the central hero of the story. He falls deeply in love with Criseyde and is devastated by her betrayal. He is ultimately killed by the great Greek soldier Achilles.
C
Criseyde
Protagonist
Beloved
Widowed
Complex
Conflicted
The heroine of the story and Troilus's beloved. She is a widow and the daughter of the soothsayer Calchas. She eventually becomes the lover of the Greek warrior Diomedes after being separated from Troilus.
P
Pandarus
Narrator
Scheming
Helpful
Witty
Manipulative
Criseyde's uncle who serves as both narrator and intermediary in the love affair between Troilus and Criseyde. He actively facilitates their relationship and plays a pivotal role in the unfolding of events.
D
Diomedes
Supporting
Bold
Opportunistic
Aggressive
Seductive
A Greek warrior who becomes Criseyde's lover after she is brought to the Greek camp. He represents a rival to Troilus and the ultimate cause of Criseyde's betrayal.
C
Calchas
Supporting
Prophetic
Treacherous
Self-serving
Knowledgeable
A soothsayer and the father of Criseyde who has defected to the Greek side. His actions indirectly lead to the separation of Troilus and Criseyde by arranging for his daughter to be brought to the Greek camp.
H
Hector
Supporting
Brave
Honorable
Loyal
Protective
A great Trojan warrior and brother of Troilus. He represents the ideal of Trojan heroism and valor throughout the narrative.
A
Antenor
Supporting
Authoritative
Military-minded
Influential
Trojan
A general and lord of Troy whose exchange for Criseyde sets in motion the tragic separation of the two lovers. His military importance to Troy is used to justify the trade.
A
Achilles
Supporting
Powerful
Lethal
Legendary
Formidable
The great Greek soldier renowned for his unmatched prowess in battle. He is responsible for the death of Troilus, bringing the hero's story to its tragic end.
P
Priam
Minor
Regal
Authoritative
Fatherly
Kingly
The King of Troy and father of Troilus, Hector, Deiphobus, Cassandra, and Paris. He rules over the besieged city of Troy during the events of the story.
D
Deiphobus
Minor
Noble
Brotherly
Trojan
Elder
An elder brother of Troilus and a member of the Trojan royal family. He plays a minor role within the broader context of the Trojan court.
F
Fate
Antagonist
Inevitable
Merciless
Unstoppable
Impersonal
Personified as the antagonist of the story, Fate represents the inescapable forces that work against Troilus and lead to his downfall. It symbolizes the powerlessness of individuals against predetermined destiny.
C
Cassandra
Minor
Prophetic
Tragic
Misunderstood
Devout
Daughter of King Priam and a prophetess who serves at the temple of Apollo. Like the mythological figure, she is gifted with foresight but her prophecies go unheeded.
P
Paris
Minor
Romantic
Impulsive
Princely
Controversial
A prince of Troy and lover of Helen, whose actions in taking Helen from Menelaus sparked the Trojan War. He is a member of the royal family and brother to Troilus.
H
Helen
Minor
Beautiful
Controversial
Desired
Iconic
Wife of the Greek king Menelaus and lover of Paris, whose abduction or elopement to Troy is the cause of the Trojan War. She is a symbolic figure representing the destructive power of desire.
C
Cupid
Symbolic
Also known as: Eros
Divine
Mischievous
Powerful
Symbolic
The God of Love, known in Greek mythology as Eros. Cupid serves a symbolic role in the narrative, representing the overwhelming and often uncontrollable force of romantic love that drives the story's central characters.