Evaluate, 'Troilus and Criseyde' is lover's tragedy.

This is really a "romance tragedy," The romance of Troilus and Criseyde ultimately ends in betrayal; a turn of events that may surprise the reader if it were not for the narrator’s frequent allusions to future events. Criseyde, going against her passionately spoken vows and promises of faithfulness, ends up staying on the Greek side and partnering up with a new lover. There are many clues that suggest Criseyde is dishonest with Troilus in her letters about her desire to return, and seemingly makes little effort to flee to Troy. Yet the betrayal here is not one-dimensional and it would be too easy to merely paint Criseyde as a villain who has acted wrongly. Rather, Chaucer shows us how Criseyde suffers and struggles deeply over her decision and feels legitimate remorse. In many ways, the maiden is put into a difficult situation, where she must either risk her reputation and even her life for Troilus, or settle for the security and comfort of a life with Diomede. Clearly, her passion is not as strong as that of Troilus, yet the reader is made to question whether it is right to hate Criseyde for her actions, as Troilus does. And there is a silver lining to it all; while the betrayal brings Troilus extreme suffering and eventual death, he also learns the value of spiritual love of God over worldly love, realizing that only a relationship with God can be a completely faithful and trustworthy one.