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Troilus and Criseyde

Troilus and Criseyde. A Romantic Tragedy By Geoffrey Chaucer Presented by Adam Smith. Origins. Geoffrey Chaucer Born around 1343 English Experienced in the military, diplomacy, and courtly affairs Renowned in his own time

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Troilus and Criseyde

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  1. Troilus and Criseyde A Romantic Tragedy By Geoffrey Chaucer Presented by Adam Smith

  2. Origins • Geoffrey Chaucer • Born around 1343 • English • Experienced in the military, diplomacy, and courtly affairs • Renowned in his own time • By some considered the greatest English poet ever to live and write at any time “One eare it heard, at the other out it went.” ~ Troilus and Criseyde, Act IV, ll. 435

  3. Troilus Basics • Most likely written during the 1380s, the same time when Chaucer wrote Knight’s Tale and translated Teseida from Italian. • Intended to be a “Psychological Romance” – a first for English literature. • Composed in lyric verse. • Based heavily upon Boccaccio’s Filostrato.

  4. More Origins • Chaucer’s Possible References • Boccaccio’s Filostrato (The Love-Stricken One) • Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy • Gualliume and Jean’s The Romance of the Rose • Dante’s Comedy • Virgil’s Aeneid • Ovid’s Metamorphoses • And more…. • Ironically… not Homer

  5. Rhythm, Rhyme, and Form • Written in “Rhythm Royal” • Seven lines per stanza • Usually Iambic Pentameter • Standard scheme: A – B – A – B – B – C - C • Some variation was allowed, especially for a work of this length ACT III, ll. 8-14: In hevene and helle, in erthe and salte see Is felt thi myght, if that I wel descerne; As man, bird, best, fissh, herbe, and grene tree Thee fele in tymes with vapour eterne. God loveth, and to love wol nought werne; And in this world no lyves creature Withouten love is worth, or may endure.

  6. The Players • Troilus: • Son of King Priam of Troy • Handsome and Valiant knight, second only to Hector • Fatal Flaw: Scorn for love • Criseyde: • Daughter of Calchas, a foreteller • Beautiful Beyond Description • Rich and Widowed • Fatal Flaw: Faithlessness

  7. The Lesser Players • Pandarus • Uncle of Criseyde • Friend of Troilus • Acts on behalf of Troilus to Criseyde • Morally Dubious • Calchas • Criseyde’s Father • Has a premonition about the Fall of Troy • Leaves the city and later called a traitor

  8. Act I or “The Setup” • Calchas’ Premonition • Foresees Troy’s Fall and flees to the Greek camp • Leaves Criseyde to wrathful citizens • Feast of Palladium • Troilus is scornful of love and lovers • Eros takes his revenge: Troilus is smitten with Criseyde • Troilus Despairs • Tries to conceal his changed feelings • Admits to himself he’s in love, but has no idea what to do • Pandarus to the Rescue • During a visit Pandarus senses distress and learns the truth • Promises to help Troilus win Criseyde • Troilus is improved by love

  9. Act II or “Schemes and Suffering” • Pandarus’ Secret • After some teasing, reveals Troilus’ love to Criseyde • Speaks well of Troilus • Criseyde’s Consideration • Criseyde sees Troilus in the street and is intrigued • Still indecisive • Criseyde’s Consent • Upon hearing a song of love sung by her niece Antigone, Criseyde is swayed to show interest in Troilus • Meeting and Mail • Troilus writes a love letter to Criseyde and receives a positive reply • Pandarus sets up a meeting between the two

  10. Act III or “As Good as it Gets” • Tentative Contact • Troilus and Criseyde meet • She consents to be his lover provided her honor is unstained • Pandarus Plots Again • By guile Pandarus gets Criseyde and Troilus together • They talk, he faints, and is tucked into bed with Criseyde • Consummation • Troilus wakes up and their love is consummated • Elysium… for a while • They enjoy a happy affair • Troilus is further improved by love • They are truly happy

  11. Act IV or “I’d like to buy a vowel” • Prisoner Exchange • Antenore, a Trojan, is captured in battle • Calchas convinces the Greeks to trade him for Criseyde • Manacles of Honor • The lovers hear of the trade and are at a loss • Honor and position prevent the lovers from fleeing • Separation Anxiety • The lovers meet the night before, dreading the dawn • Criseyde plans to return by wit and manipulation

  12. Act V or “The Wheel Hits Bottom” • Abandonment • Criseyde is unable to return • Troilus is miserable at her absence • Betrayal • Criseyde is wooed by Diomede • After initial resistance Criseyde is won over • Dead Man Walking • Troilus despairs of life and joins in the battle seeking Diomede • Troilus is killed by Achilles • Troilus’ soul ascends to be purified and he looks down upon the earth, laughing

  13. Trojan Courtly Love? • Aristocratic - Yes • Do not Marry - Yes • Speak through go-between - Yes • Lover Suffers - Yes • Must be Secret - No • Unconsummated - No • Ennobling Force - Yes • Lady is Dominant – Yes Overall: YES

  14. Final Notes • Composed in Middle English • Many words easily visible in their early forms • Widely varied spellings make reading out-loud in your head the best way to read it – like Mallory • Available in Modern English at the library • Loses some charm in the transition, but easier to read • Library section PR 1895 (Modern Trans. is L8) – 3rd floor

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