# Scene I explained — Troilus and Cressida

> Chapter companion for Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Troilus, tormented by his unrequited love for Cressida, laments the futility of the Trojan War and his dependence on Pandarus to woo her. Pandarus, frustrated by Troilus's impatience, refuses to further meddle in the affair. The scene ends with Aeneas summoning Troilus to battle after Paris is wounded by Menelaus.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Betrayal

Troilus's obsessive love for Cressida is contrasted with the betrayal he feels from Pandarus's reluctance and the war's futility.

### War and Futility

Troilus criticizes the war as a pointless conflict fought over Helen, while he himself is paralyzed by personal desire.

### Deception and Manipulation

Pandarus manipulates Troilus's emotions by teasing him with Cressida's virtues and threatening to withdraw his aid.

## Character check-ins

### Troilus

Expresses his inner turmoil and lovesick despair, unable to fight due to his obsession with Cressida.

### Pandarus

Acts as the go-between for Troilus and Cressida, but grows weary of Troilus's impatience and threatens to withdraw his help.

### Aeneas

Enters to inform Troilus that Paris has been wounded by Menelaus and urges him to join the battle.

### Cressida

Mentioned by Troilus and Pandarus as the object of Troilus's desire, though she does not appear in the scene.

### Paris

Reported by Aeneas to have been wounded by Menelaus in the field.

### Menelaus

Mentioned as the one who wounded Paris in battle.

### Helen

Referenced by Troilus as the cause of the war, whose beauty is maintained by bloodshed.

### Cassandra

Briefly mentioned by Pandarus in comparison to Cressida's wit.

## Key lines

> I cannot fight upon this argument; It is too starved a subject for my sword.

Troilus says he cannot fight for a cause as trivial as Helen's beauty, which is not worth his sword.

_Highlights Troilus's disillusionment with the war's purpose._

> Her bed is India; there she lies, a pearl: Between our Ilium and where she resides, Let it be call'd the wild and wandering flood, Ourself the merchant, and this sailing Pandar Our doubtful hope, our convoy and our bark.

Troilus compares Cressida to a precious pearl in India, with himself as a merchant and Pandarus as the ship that carries his hopes across a dangerous sea.

_Illustrates Troilus's idealization of Cressida and his reliance on Pandarus._

> Patience herself, what goddess e'er she be, Doth lesser blench at sufferance than I do.

Troilus claims that even the goddess Patience is less patient than he is in enduring his suffering.

_Emphasizes Troilus's extreme impatience and emotional turmoil._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters