Diomedes

Also known as: Diomed · Family: Greeks · Role: warrior · First appears: Troilus and Cressida · Act IV, Scene I

Diomedes, also known as Diomed, is a Greek warrior who becomes the designated exchange for Antenor’s release when Cressida is transferred from Troy to Calchas’ house in Act IV. He is an enemy of Aeneas, and at Menelaus’ tent he courts Cressida, gazing at her while Troilus learns of his interest.

In Act V, Cressida calls Diomedes her guardian and gives him a sleeve as a pledge of their courtship. He plans to wear it on his helm to provoke Troilus, whose love for Cressida turns into intense hatred of Diomedes; the two eventually meet in combat.

Relationship record

Life events

• The Greek commanders resolve to assemble their forces and stand fast at Troy.(Troilus and Cressida · Act II, Scene III · 📍 Troy)
  • With: Agamemnon Ulysses Nestor Ajax
  • “Tomorrow We must with all our main of power stand fast”
• Diomedes is designated for exchange to secure Antenor’s release, with Cressid transferred from Troy.(Troilus and Cressida · Act IV, Scene I · 📍 Calchas’ house)
  • With: Cressida
  • “His purpose meets you: ’twas to bring this Greek To Calchas’ house, and there to render him, For the enfreed Antenor, the fair Cressid.”
• Troilus learns Cressida is at Menelaus’ tent while Diomedes gazes amorously at her.(Troilus and Cressida · Act IV, Scene V · 📍 Menelaus’ tent)
  • With: Troilus Cressida
  • “At Menelaus’ tent, most princely Troilus. There Diomed doth feast with him tonight, Who neither looks upon the heaven nor earth, But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view On the fair Cressid.”
• Cressida gives Diomedes a sleeve as a pledge.(Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene II)
  • With: Cressida
  • “Here, Diomed, keep this sleeve.”
• Diomedes plans to wear the sleeve on his helm and provoke its former owner.(Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene II)
  • With: Troilus
  • “Tomorrow will I wear it on my helm, And grieve his spirit that dares not challenge it.”
• Troilus recognizes that Cressida’s vows and love have shifted to Diomedes.(Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene II)
  • With: Troilus Cressida
  • “Cressid is mine, tied with the bonds of heaven. Instance, O instance! strong as heaven itself: The bonds of heaven are slipp’d, dissolv’d, and loos’d; And with another knot, five-finger-tied, The fractions of her faith, orts of her love, The fragments, scraps, the bits, and greasy relics Of her o’er-eaten faith, are given to Diomed.”
• Troilus declares intense hatred toward Diomedes and threatens to attack him.(Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene II)
  • With: Troilus
  • “As much as I do Cressid love, So much by weight hate I her Diomed. That sleeve is mine that he’ll bear on his helm; Were it a casque compos’d by Vulcan’s skill My sword should bite it.”
• Troilus and Diomedes engage in combat.(Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene IV)
  • With: Troilus
  • “[Exeunt Troilus and Diomedes fighting].”

Troilus and Cressida · Act IV, Scene I

• enemies with Aeneas “But when I meet you arm’d, as black defiance As heart can think or courage execute.”

Troilus and Cressida · Act IV, Scene V

• admired: Cressida “There Diomed doth feast with him tonight, Who neither looks upon the heaven nor earth, But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view On the fair Cressid.”

Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene II

• ward: Cressida “DIOMEDES. How now, my charge! CRESSIDA. Now, my sweet guardian! Hark, a word with you.”
• courtship with Cressida “DIOMEDES. I had your heart before; this follows it. TROILUS. I did swear patience.”
• enemies with Troilus “Hark, Greek: as much as I do Cressid love, So much by weight hate I her Diomed.”

Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene III

• enemies with Troilus (Troilus speaks of confronting Diomed in battle.) “They are at it, hark! Proud Diomed, believe, I come to lose my arm or win my sleeve.”

Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene IV

• enemies with Troilus (Troilus and the Greek Diomedes confront and fight as opposing Trojan and Greek warriors.) “TROILUS. Fly not; for shouldst thou take the river Styx, I would swim after. DIOMEDES. Thou dost miscall retire. I do not fly; but advantageous care Withdrew me from the odds of multitude. Have at thee! THERSITES. Hold thy whore, Grecian; now for thy whore, Trojan! now the sleeve, now the sleeve! [Exeunt Troilus and Diomedes fighting.]”

Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene V

• admired: Cressida “Present the fair steed to my lady Cressid. Fellow, commend my service to her beauty; Tell her I have chastis’d the amorous Trojan, And am her knight by proof.”
• courtship with Cressida “Present the fair steed to my lady Cressid. Fellow, commend my service to her beauty; Tell her I have chastis’d the amorous Trojan, And am her knight by proof.”

Troilus and Cressida · Act V, Scene VI

• enemies with Troilus “O traitor Diomed! Turn thy false face, thou traitor, And pay thy life thou owest me for my horse.”

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Extracted from the original text of Shakespeare's Tragedies. Made with Rho MD.