# Scene V explained — Troilus and Cressida

> Chapter companion for Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Amidst the chaos of battle, Diomedes sends a servant to present Troilus's horse to Cressida, boasting of his victory. Agamemnon reports heavy Greek losses, including Patroclus taken or slain. Nestor orders Patroclus's body taken to Achilles and urges Ajax to arm, describing Hector's devastating prowess. Ulysses announces that Achilles, enraged by Patroclus's wounds, is arming for vengeance, while Ajax roars for Troilus. Achilles enters demanding Hector alone.

## Themes in this chapter

### War and Futility

The relentless carnage and chaotic reports of death and injury underscore the senseless destruction of war.

### Honor and Glory

Diomedes seeks to claim honor by sending Troilus's horse to Cressida, while Achilles and Ajax are driven by a desire for vengeance and martial glory.

## Character check-ins

### Diomedes

Sends Troilus's horse to Cressida as a token of his victory and service.

### Servant

Receives Diomedes's command to deliver the horse and message to Cressida.

### Agamemnon

Reports dire Greek casualties and urges reinforcement.

### Nestor

Orders Patroclus's body taken to Achilles and describes Hector's rampage.

### Ulysses

Announces Achilles's arming for vengeance and Ajax's rage against Troilus.

### Achilles

Enters demanding Hector, vowing to face him in anger.

## Key lines

> Go, go, my servant, take thou Troilus' horse; Present the fair steed to my lady Cressid: Fellow, commend my service to her beauty; Tell her I have chastised the amorous Trojan, And am her knight by proof.

Diomedes orders his servant to give Troilus's horse to Cressida as a gift, instructing him to convey his devotion and announce that he has defeated the lovesick Trojan, proving himself her champion.

_Diomedes uses the spoils of war to court Cressida, blending romance with martial conquest._

> Patroclus' wounds have roused his drowsy blood, Together with his mangled Myrmidons, That noseless, handless, hack'd and chipp'd, come to him, Crying on Hector.

The injuries to Patroclus have stirred Achilles from his lethargy, and his mutilated soldiers, missing noses and hands, gather around him, shouting for revenge against Hector.

_Ulysses describes the visceral impact of Patroclus's fate on Achilles, motivating his return to battle._

> Where is this Hector? Come, come, thou boy-queller, show thy face; Know what it is to meet Achilles angry: Hector? where's Hector? I will none but Hector.

Achilles demands to face Hector, calling him a killer of boys, and insists that only Hector will satisfy his rage.

_Achilles's single-minded focus on Hector sets the stage for their climactic confrontation._

## Links

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