Essay Questions

How is love portrayed?

Troilus is Cresseid’s first love yet she leaves him in favor of Diomedes. She quickly comes to regret this as Diomedes proves to be hateful and banishes her. Only when she is a beggar and dying does she see Troilus again, and seems to faintly recognize her as well. She realizes that it was Troilus who she should have chosen but dies before this can be so. This suggests that love is bittersweet and there may not always be a happy ending.

How is Cresseid portrayed?

In the beginning, Cresseid is the envy of all women as she has the attention of not one but two prominent Trojan men. However, her lover, Diomedes, does not value her for more than her looks and banishes her. Only when she is cursed with leprosy, does Cresseid realize that beauty is nothing more than an illusion. She begins to realize she should have valued inherent values more, such as the kindness Troilus shows her when she is a beggar.

How is social class presented?

In the beginning, Cresseid is wealthy and has everything she can desire. However, when she criticizes the cruelty of Venus and Cupid, she is struck down and becomes a leper and a beggar. However, she is taken pity on by Troilus who showers her with all his gold. This is showing that whilst there was a harsh societal hierarchy in the 13th century, there are always those that transcend such labels and do what is right to help others, as shown by Troilus.