1 / 14

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

Mia_John
Download Presentation

Troilus and Criseyde

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  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

More Related