Troilus and Cressida · Chapter
Scene VI explained
On the plains of Troy, Ajax and Diomedes challenge Troilus, who confronts them both.
What happens
On the plains of Troy, Ajax and Diomedes challenge Troilus, who confronts them both. Hector praises his brother's fighting, but Achilles appears and challenges Hector before withdrawing. Troilus reports that Ajax has captured Aeneas and vows to rescue him. Hector encounters a Greek in sumptuous armor and pursues him for his hide.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Glory
Characters seek personal glory through combat, as seen in Ajax and Diomedes challenging Troilus, and Hector pursuing a Greek for his armor.
War and Futility
The relentless cycle of challenges and skirmishes highlights the futility and chaos of war, with Troilus vowing to rescue Aeneas at the cost of his own life.
Characters to notice
- Ajax
Challenges Troilus and later captures Aeneas.
- Diomedes
Seeks to correct Troilus and claims him as his prize.
- Troilus
Fights Ajax and Diomedes, then vows to rescue Aeneas.
- Hector
Praises Troilus's fighting, confronts Achilles, and pursues a Greek for his armor.
- Achilles
Challenges Hector but withdraws, claiming his arms are out of use.
Key passages
“Troilus, thou coward Troilus, show thy head!”
Ajax calls out Troilus, accusing him of cowardice and demanding he appear.
Ajax's challenge sets the stage for the ensuing combat.
“I do disdain thy courtesy, proud Trojan: Be happy that my arms are out of use: My rest and negligence befriends thee now, But thou anon shalt hear of me again;”
Achilles scorns Hector's polite pause, claiming his own inactivity favors Hector for now, but warns he will return.
Achilles' withdrawal foreshadows a future confrontation.
“I like thy armour well; I'll frush it and unlock the rivets all, But I'll be master of it:”
Hector admires the Greek's armor and vows to break it apart and take it for himself.
Hector's pursuit of the armor reflects the material spoils of war.