Dec 19, 2009
The Oxford Dictionary of Plays | Troilus and Cressida
Troilus and Cressida (The Historie of Troylus and Cresseida)
Author: William Shakespeare
First Performance: c.1602–3, London
Published: 1609, 1623
Genre: Drama in 5 acts; blank verse and prose
Setting: Troy and nearby plains, during the Trojan War
Cast: 24m, 4f, extras
Troilus, a Trojan prince, is in love with Cressida, the daughter of the priest Calchas. So it is an easy task for her uncle the old Pandarus to bring them together. Meanwhile, in the opposing Greek camp the generals discuss how to end the war. Ulysses points to their lack of unity: above all, Achilles is to blame for refusing to fight. The Trojans propose a single combat to decide the war. Hector will represent the Trojans, and, on Ulysses' advice, Ajax will be the Greek champion. This decision infuriates Achilles, who intends to prove...
[The entire page is 358 words long]
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