Troilus

Also known as: Prince Troilus / my lord · Family: Troy · Role: prince · First appears: Troilus and Cressida · Act I, Scene I

At Troy, Troilus tells Pandarus that he is madly in love with Cressida, though reaching her depends on Pandarus’s help and her stubborn reserve. He will not disparage his sister Cassandra’s wit; he speaks of Helen loving Paris, sees much in Cressida while she holds back, and compares the young Hector with his brother’s strength. Later, he rebukes Priam for weighing a king’s honour lightly, dismisses Helenus’s dreams, and supports Paris and Hector in keeping Helen, while declaring that he takes a wife that day according to his own will.

At the orchard, Pandarus brings Cressida to him after their long courtship. She says she has loved him night and day for many months, and Troilus promises unwavering truth; Pandarus joins their hands and sends them to a chamber and bed. When Aeneas announces that Cressida must be exchanged for Antenor, Troilus prepares to deliver her to the Grecian camp despite her refusal to leave him. They exchange a sleeve and glove, she promises, “But I’ll be true,” and he vows to bribe the Grecian sentinels for nightly visits before parting at the port.

That night, Troilus learns that Diomedes is gazing amorously at Cressida; soon after, he recognizes that her vows and love have shifted to Diomedes. He tears her letter, concluding, “My love with words and errors still she feeds, / But edifies another with her deeds,” and declares that his hatred of Diomedes matches his love for Cressida. He fights Diomedes, faces the roaring Ajax, and performs fierce execution in battle. When Hector is slain and dragged through the field, Troilus announces the dishonour done to his brother.