The Shakespeare Book

208

A

prologue announces that

the story begins seven

years into the Trojan War.

Troilus, son of King Priam of Troy,

the younger brother of Hector and

Paris, is in love with Cressida, the

daughter of a traitor. He employs

her uncle, Pandarus, to woo her for

him. Cressida appears dismissive

of Troilus, but secretly admits to

being attracted to him.

Outside the Trojan walls, the

Greek camp is disorderly. Achilles

refuses to fight, and Menelaus, their

leader, lacks credibility as a warrior.

Meanwhile, in Troy, courtiers debate

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA

the purpose and expense of the

long war with the Greek army.

Hector concedes that Helen,

whose abduction started the war,

must not be returned to the Greeks.

Hector sends a message to

the Greek army challenging any

warrior to a duel. Ulysses uses the

challenge to humiliate Achilles by

announcing that the dull-witted

Ajax should fight Hector. Ajax is

related to the Trojan princes by his

mother, who is the sister of Priam.

Back in Troy, Troilus

successfully woos Cressida in

Pandarus’s home, where they

DRAMATIS

PERSONAE

THE TROJANS

Priam King of Troy.

Hector Eldest son of Priam

and leader of the Trojan army.

Paris Brother to Hector and

Troilus, Paris has taken Helen

as a lover, precipitating war.

Troilus A Trojan warrior, and

youngest brother to Hector

and Paris. He falls in love

with Cressida.

Pandarus Courtier and uncle

to Cressida.

Andromache Wife of Hector.

Cassandra Sister to Hector,

Paris, and Troilus. Cassandra

has the gift of foresight and

predicts the fall of Troy.

THE GREEKS

Helen Wife of Menelaus of

Greece, and lover of Paris.

Agamemnon Respected

general in the Greek army.

Ulysses A philosopher.

Nestor A wise old man.

Achilles A legendary warrior

and pride of the Greek army.

Ajax and Diomedes Greek

warriors.

Cressida Pledges love for

Troilus but later proves

faithless.

Calchas Father of Cressida.

He has joined the Greeks.

Patroclus Achilles’ companion.

Thersites Commentator on

the war.

Act 1 Act 2

1.3

2.2

1.1

1.2

3.2

Hector sends a

challenge to the

Greeks. Ulysses and

the generals plot to

humiliate Achilles by

choosing Ajax to fight

with Hector.

Seven years after the Trojan

War began, Pandarus makes

attempts to woo Cressida

on behalf of Troilus.

Cressida feigns indifference

to Troilus, calling him a

“sneaking fellow.” However,

she secretly admits to

loving him.

Troilus and Cressida

are brought together

by Pandarus, who

encourages them to

consummate their love.

The Trojans decide

against returning

Helen to the Greeks.