Troilus and Cressida · Chapter
Scene II explained
Troilus and Ulysses secretly observe Cressida meeting Diomedes in the Greek camp.
What happens
Troilus and Ulysses secretly observe Cressida meeting Diomedes in the Greek camp. Cressida gives Diomedes a sleeve as a token, betraying her vows to Troilus. Troilus struggles with his emotions, ultimately vowing revenge against Diomedes. Aeneas arrives to escort Troilus back to Troy, and Thersites comments on the pervasive lechery.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Betrayal
Cressida's gift of the sleeve to Diomedes and her broken vows to Troilus epitomize the theme of romantic betrayal.
Deception and Manipulation
Cressida's duplicitous behavior and the secret observation by Troilus and Ulysses highlight the theme of deception.
Cynicism and Idealism
Troilus's idealistic love clashes with Thersites's cynical view of lechery and human nature.
Characters to notice
- Troilus
Witnesses Cressida's betrayal and struggles to reconcile his love with her infidelity.
- Cressida
Gives a sleeve to Diomedes as a token, breaking her vows to Troilus.
- Diomedes
Receives the sleeve from Cressida and plans to wear it on his helm.
- Ulysses
Guides Troilus and urges him to remain patient during the observation.
- Thersites
Provides cynical commentary on the lechery and deceit he observes.
- Aeneas
Arrives to escort Troilus back to Troy, informing him that Hector is arming.
Key passages
“O beauty! where is thy faith?”
Troilus laments the loss of Cressida's fidelity.
Troilus expresses his anguish at Cressida's betrayal.
“This is, and is not, Cressid.”
Troilus is torn between believing Cressida is faithful and accepting her infidelity.
Troilus's internal conflict over Cressida's identity and actions.
“Lechery, lechery; still, wars and lechery; nothing else holds fashion: a burning devil take them!”
Thersites condemns the pervasive lust and war, wishing destruction upon all involved.
Thersites's cynical summary of the scene's moral decay.