Cressida

Also known as: Cressid / Lady Cressida / my cousin Cressida · Family: Troy · Role: kinswoman · First appears: Troilus and Cressida · Act I, Scene I

Cressida is a Trojan kinswoman, known also as Cressid and Lady Cressida. In Act I, Troilus loves her and must approach her through Pandarus, her uncle and cousin; she holds off his courtship despite seeing more in Troilus than in Pandarus’s praise. She is attended by Alexander, her man, and Pandarus remarks on her conversation.

By Act III, Pandarus describes Cressida’s love to Helen, then brings her to Troilus in the orchard. Cressida tells Troilus, “I have lov’d you night and day For many weary months,” and Pandarus joins their hands before sending them to a chamber. Soon after, Calchas secures Cressida’s exchange for Antenor, making her the price of his release.

When Aeneas tells Troilus that Cressida must be given to Diomedes, she resists: “O you immortal gods! I will not go.” Compelled to leave Troy, she promises Troilus, “But I’ll be true,” exchanges a sleeve and glove with him, and parts from him at the port as Diomedes receives her. In the Grecian camp, Diomedes becomes her guardian and suitor; Cressida gives him the sleeve as a pledge, and Troilus recognizes that her vows and love have shifted to Diomedes.