Scene I explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Betrayal

  The playful yet manipulative discussion of love, Troilus's secret affection, and the potential for betrayal.

• Deception and Manipulation

  Pandarus's coy hints about Troilus and Cressida, and the use of music and words to conceal true intentions.

Characters to notice

• Pandarus

  Visits Paris and Helen, delivers a message from Troilus, and sings a song about love.

• Paris

  Present with Helen, discusses love and the day's battles, agrees to make Troilus's excuse.

• Helen

  Engages in witty exchange with Pandarus, requests a love song, and praises Pandarus's forehead.

• Troilus

  Mentioned as sending a message via Pandarus; his secret love for Cressida is hinted at.

• Cressida

  Referenced indirectly as 'my cousin' and 'disposer' by Pandarus, suggesting Troilus's interest.

• Hector

  Mentioned as being afield in battle and needing to be disarmed by Helen.

• Servant

  Exchanges banter with Pandarus about serving Paris and the musicians.

Key passages

• “Let thy song be love: this love will undo us all. O Cupid, Cupid, Cupid!”

  Helen asks Pandarus to sing about love, remarking that love will be the ruin of everyone.

  Helen's playful yet ominous view of love's power.

• “He eats nothing but doves, love, and that breeds hot blood, and hot blood begets hot thoughts, and hot thoughts beget hot deeds, and hot deeds is love.”

  Paris claims that love is fueled by passion, comparing it to a chain reaction from diet to desire.

  Paris's cynical and physical interpretation of love.

• “My niece is horribly in love with a thing you have, sweet queen.”

  Pandarus hints that Cressida is in love with something belonging to Helen, likely Troilus's affection.

  Pandarus's cryptic suggestion about Cressida's feelings.