Troilus and Cressida

Unlike in the Iliad, the Greek heroes are often presented as corrupt and unheroic figures in Shakespeare’s play. Closely analyze Achilles, Ulysses, and/or Diomedes. How are they characterized? How do they behave in ways that challenge the traditional heroic ethos?

Research the plot of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s tragic romance, and compare and contrast it with Troilus and Cressida. How do the plays mirror one another in terms of themes, characterization, and/or literary devices? In what respects do the two plays differ?

Examine the motif of doubles, foils, and parallel structures in the play. What wider thematic purpose does this motif serve?

Perform a close reading of the depiction of war and its effects in the play. How does Shakespeare depict war and battle? How does he explore the wider effects of war on the characters both on and off the battlefield?

Analyze the gender dynamics of the play. How are the women characterized? How does the play depict and interrogate the power dynamics and/or gender roles of the play?

The play often uses graphic images of bodily functions to illustrate the corruption of its society. What forms of “sickness” or corruption are explored in the play? How are they interrelated?

Analyze the role of Pandarus in the play. How is he characterized? What do his speeches, jokes, and/or songs reveal about the play’s key themes and ideas?

The play often explores and plays with the idea of performance and the demands of public and private roles. How does the play explore the nature of performance? How do various characters negotiate the idea of role-playing for different or similar ends?