# Scene I explained — Troilus and Cressida

> Chapter companion for Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Pandarus visits Paris and Helen in Troy, engaging in playful banter about love and music. He delivers a message from Troilus, hinting at Troilus's secret affection for Cressida, while Helen and Paris discuss love and the day's battles.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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