Troilus and Criseyde

During the war with the Greeks, several Trojan warriors are captured. Both sides decide to arrange a prisoner exchange, but there are more Trojan prisoners than there are Greeks. Calkas goes to the Greek leaders and begs them to ask for his daughter, Criseyde, since he was unable to take her with him when he fled the city. He reminds them of how he has helped their cause with his predictions and left behind all his property to join them. The Greeks agree and request that Criseyde be traded in exchange for the Trojan Antenor. Troilus is horrified when he hears this, but he is forced to maintain a neutral appearance for the sake of concealing his love. His love and his reason are in conflict, as he wants to keep Criseyde close, but he also does not want her to hate him for constraining her.

Ector initially refuses the trade, saying that it would be improper because Criseyde is not a prisoner. However, the people pressure him into accepting because they believe that they need Antenor for the war. Chaucer reminds the reader that, ironically, Antenor will later betray the Trojans and bring about their downfall.

Troilus returns to his rooms and bursts into tears, raging and weeping. After his hysteria passes, he sadly prays to Fortune, asking why she has decided to take all his happiness from him at this point in his life. Pandarus hears the news about Criseyde and rushes to Troilus’ side, finding him miserable. Pandarus tries to comfort Troilus by telling him that he will eventually move on and find a new lover, but Troilus assures him that that is impossible and that he can never forget Criseyde. He begs to die because he can never find relief from his pain in life.

Pandarus urges him to abduct Criseyde rather than allowing her to go to the Greeks, saying that it will not be seen as a rape because they are in love. However, Troilus refuses, reminding Pandarus that the entire war began because of Paris’ abduction of Helen, and the people of Troy would never allow him to do the same thing. Pandarus urges Troilus to have hope, promising that he will once again try to intervene and prevent disaster.

Rumor of the prisoner exchange spreads throughout Troy, and Criseyde learns that she will be traded back to her father for Antenor. She grieves deeply and goes to her chambers, where she tears at her hair and weeps. She considers suicide but is too afraid to use a weapon and so decides to starve herself instead. Pandarus arrives and brings word that Troilus wants to see her. He advises her to not give up hope and to use her womanly wits to find a solution, reminding her that Troilus will die without her love.

Meanwhile, Troilus goes to the temple to pray and ponders the workings of fate. He wonders about how predestination is possible and whether there is any room for human free will if the gods have foreknowledge of his fate. He then goes to Criseyde. The lovers are so miserable that when they embrace, Criseyde faints and appears dead. Troilus takes out his sword, intending to end his own life, but Criseyde rouses in time to stop him.

Troilus and Criseyde discuss their options as they lie in her bed, embracing. Criseyde proposes a plan to save them both: She will go to her father for 10 days but return to Troy when a truce is proposed between the Greeks and Trojans. She believes that she can trick her father into allowing her to return to Troy by bringing some of her money and property with her to assuage his greed. However, Troilus is doubtful. He worries that Calkas will trick Criseyde into staying and arrange a marriage for her to a Greek. He urges her to run away with him instead so that they can stay together. Criseyde refuses, assuring him that she loves him faithfully and swearing that she will never betray him. She believes that running away and leaving behind their estates, titles, and families will cause them both to be unhappy in the long run, and she urges him to trust her plan. Troilus unhappily agrees to endure 10 days apart.