Troilus and Cressida · Chapter
Scene II explained
Cressida and her servant Alexander discuss the movements of the Trojan royals and the anger of Hector, who was bested by Ajax in battle.
What happens
Cressida and her servant Alexander discuss the movements of the Trojan royals and the anger of Hector, who was bested by Ajax in battle. Pandarus arrives and extols the virtues of Troilus, comparing him favorably to Hector and Paris, while Cressida remains coy and skeptical. After a parade of Trojan warriors, Pandarus leaves to meet Troilus, and Cressida reflects on the nature of love and desire, choosing to hold back her feelings.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Manipulation
Cressida deliberately hides her true feelings for Troilus, employing a strategy of withholding to maintain power in the courtship.
Love and Betrayal
The tension between genuine affection and strategic restraint is explored through Cressida's soliloquy on love's transient nature.
Honor and Glory
Pandarus's hyperbolic praise of Troilus and Hector's martial prowess underscores the Trojan obsession with heroic reputation.
Characters to notice
- Cressida
Engages in witty banter with Pandarus, feigns indifference to Troilus, and reveals her strategic approach to love.
- Pandarus
Acts as a go-between, praising Troilus excessively and arranging a meeting, while Cressida accuses him of being a bawd.
- Alexander
Servant to Cressida, provides news of Hector's anger and describes Ajax's character.
- Hector
Mentioned as having been angered by Ajax's victory; seen passing by in armor.
- Ajax
Described by Alexander as a complex, contradictory man who struck down Hector in battle.
- Troilus
Praised by Pandarus as the prince of chivalry; seen passing with a bloodied sword and hacked helmet.
- Paris
Seen passing by; Pandarus dismisses him as inferior to Troilus.
- Helenus
Identified as a priest; Pandarus questions his fighting ability.
Key passages
“Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love's full sacrifice, He offers in another's enterprise: But more in Troilus thousand fold I see Than in the glass of Pandar's praise may be; Yet hold I off.”
Troilus offers all the tokens of love through Pandarus, but I see his worth far beyond Pandarus's flattery; still, I resist.
Cressida acknowledges Troilus's genuine qualities but chooses to maintain emotional distance.
“Achievement is command; ungain'd, beseech: Then though my heart's content firm love doth bear, Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.”
Having something makes you the master; wanting it makes you the beggar. So, despite my true love, I will hide it from view.
Cressida articulates her philosophy of love as a game of power and restraint.