Troilus and Cressida · Chapter
Scene IV explained
Troilus and Cressida are forced to part as Cressida is sent to the Greek camp in exchange for Antenor.
What happens
Troilus and Cressida are forced to part as Cressida is sent to the Greek camp in exchange for Antenor. They exchange vows of fidelity and tokens, but Troilus expresses jealousy and fear of Cressida's potential betrayal among the Greeks. Aeneas, Paris, and Diomedes arrive to escort Cressida away, and Troilus warns Diomedes to treat her well. The scene ends with the Trojan lords preparing for battle, emphasizing Hector's central role.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Betrayal
The central theme of the chapter: Troilus and Cressida's love is tested by forced separation, with Troilus's jealousy hinting at future betrayal.
Time and Mortality
The urgency of parting and the 'injurious time' that steals their farewells, emphasizing the fleeting nature of their love and life.
War and Futility
The backdrop of the Trojan War forces personal sacrifices, as love is subordinated to military and political exchanges.
Characters to notice
- Troilus
Bids a painful farewell to Cressida, expressing deep love and jealousy; warns Diomedes to treat her well.
- Cressida
Grieves over her forced departure from Troy and Troilus, exchanges tokens and vows of fidelity.
- Pandarus
Attempts to moderate Cressida's grief and later laments the parting, quoting a rhyme about heavy hearts.
- Diomedes
Arrives to escort Cressida to the Greek camp; exchanges sharp words with Troilus over her treatment.
- Aeneas
Calls for Troilus and Cressida to hasten; later comments on the morning's delay and Hector's impending battle.
- Paris
Summons Troilus and urges the group to prepare for battle, noting Hector's trumpet.
Key passages
“Injurious time now with a robber's haste Crams his rich thievery up, he knows not how: As many farewells as be stars in heaven, With distinct breath and consign'd kisses to them, He fumbles up into a lose adieu, And scants us with a single famish'd kiss, Distasted with the salt of broken tears.”
Time, like a thief, rushes to steal our precious moments, compressing countless farewells and kisses into a single hurried goodbye, leaving us with only one bitter kiss mixed with tears.
Troilus laments the cruel haste of their parting, personifying time as a robber.
“But I can tell that in each grace of these There lurks a still and dumb-discoursive devil That tempts most cunningly: but be not tempted.”
I know that behind every charming quality of the Greek youths there hides a silent, persuasive devil that tempts you subtly—but do not give in.
Troilus warns Cressida against the seductive allure of the Greek men, revealing his jealousy.
“I charge thee use her well, even for my charge; For, by the dreadful Pluto, if thou dost not, Though the great bulk Achilles be thy guard, I'll cut thy throat.”
I command you to treat her well, simply because I ask it; by the god Pluto, if you don't, even if the mighty Achilles protects you, I will kill you.
Troilus threatens Diomedes with death if he mistreats Cressida, showing his fierce protectiveness.