Troilus and Criseyde

Pandarus awakes on the third of May to the singing of a nightingale. He goes to visit his niece, Criseyde, intending to help win her over for Troilus. When he arrives at her house, he finds her and her ladies listening to a reading of the story of Thebes and the tragic life of Oedipus. Pandarus encourages her to set aside this somber pursuit and come dance and celebrate the month of May with him. Criseyde, however, thinks that it is more proper for her to behave as a widow would due to her family circumstances.

Pandarus tempts Criseyde by implying that he has a secret to tell her but repeatedly withholding it, distracting her with discussion of the war with Greece. He mentions how brave and noble Troilus has been on the battlefield and how his reputation is as good as that of his heroic brother Ector. Finally, Criseyde begs him to tell her his secret, and he relents. He tells her that Troilus is in love with her and that he will die if she does not show him some regard or affections. If Troilus dies, Pandarus vows that he will die too, putting all the power in Criseyde’s hands to decide their fate. His speech condemns the pride of beautiful women, reminding her that beauty without compassion is an evil thing and that all women will eventually age and lose their beauty.

Criseyde is very upset by Pandarus’ words. She does not want to kill Troilus and her uncle, but she prefers to live as a widow and not to marry. Eventually, she decides that she must choose the lesser of two evils. She vows to be cheerful and pleasant to Troilus but to go no further than that and maintain her honor. Pandarus accepts her promise and then returns to other topics. However, Criseyde asks him before he leaves how he came to learn of Troilus’ love and if anyone else knows. Pandarus smiles to himself and tells her that after he took a nap in the garden after they discussed battleplans, he heard Troilus talking in his sleep about loving a woman wearing black. He then confronted Troilus and found him miserable, forcing him to admit his love, which no one else knows. Finally, Pandarus takes his leave, and Criseyde is alone again.

Criseyde hears the gates of the city open and sees Troilus riding down the street after returning from battle. His armor is heavily damaged, and his horse is wounded, proving that he fought bravely against the Greeks. She sees him and begins to admire him. The author clarifies that she did not immediately fall in love but that this was the beginning of her liking for him.

After he departs, Criseyde debates with herself about what she should do. The sudden revelation that someone is so deeply in love with her while she feels nothing is alarming. She recognizes that Troilus is a worthy man and that it would be advantageous to have his favor. He is known to be courageous, wise, and morally upstanding, with no equal in the city apart from his older brother, Ector. Therefore, saving his life by returning his affection would be a good thing for her to do. However, Criseyde is also fearful of losing her independence to a jealous or controlling husband. She worries that if she returned his love, she would lose her liberty, and her reputation would suffer, as she might become the target of malicious gossip. Yet she questions whether the risks mean that she should never try to gain something that might be wonderful.

Criseyde goes out to walk in the garden with her female relatives. One of them, Antigone, sings a song from the perspective of a woman deciding that love is worth all the risks and pain that come with it. Criseyde asks who wrote the song, and Antigone says that it was a worthy Trojan maiden who loved a knight. Criseyde reasons that she ought to listen to advice about love from someone who experienced it, not be frightened by the warnings of those who have not been lovers themselves. Night falls and she retires to bed, where she dreams that an eagle tears out her heart and replaces it with its own.

Troilus returns to his palace, where he meets with Pandarus, who assures him that the plan is going well. Troilus is hopeful and excited by the news. Pandarus instructs him to write a letter to Criseyde, honestly conveying his feelings. He does so, and Pandarus delivers it to Criseyde the next evening. She is initially annoyed by the gesture, feeling that she is being manipulated into taking pity on Troilus. However, she secretly reads the letter before dinner and is moved by its words. At dinner, Pandarus asks her to write a letter back, which she begrudgingly agrees to do, although her letter makes it clear that she does not return his love as anything more than platonic affection. As Criseyde and Pandarus dine, they see Troilus riding down the street again, and Criseyde is attracted by his appearance and clothing. Troilus is overjoyed by Criseyde’s letter, although he sees that her words are very guarded.

Next, Pandarus seeks to set up a meeting between Troilus and Criseyde. He asks which of his brothers he is closest to, and Troilus says that it is his brother Deiphebus. Pandarus goes to Deiphebus and asks him to invite Criseyde to his palace to discuss a recent legal case brought against her by the malicious Poliphete. Deiphebus agrees, and Pandarus tells him to also invite Troilus and Helen to show Criseyde their support. Pandarus then goes to tell Criseyde that she must attend this meeting. Worried about losing her estate in a lawsuit, she agrees. Before the dinner, Pandarus recommends that Troilus pretend to get a fever so that Criseyde will pity him more. He does so, and when Criseyde arrives, Deiphebus and Helen praise Troilus and urge Criseyde to go and wish him well so that he can recover from his illness. The book concludes as the lovers prepare to finally meet in person for the first time.