Author |
Chaucer, Geoffrey, 1343?-1400 |
Title |
Troilus and Criseyde
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Note |
Reading ease score: 85.0 (6th grade). Easy to read.
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Credits |
Produced by Douglas B. Killings, Diane M. Brendan, and David Widger
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Summary |
"Troilus and Criseyde" by Geoffrey Chaucer is a narrative poem written in the 14th century. The poem explores themes of love, fate, and the tragic consequences of romance through the lens of two central characters, Troilus, a noble prince of Troy, and Criseyde, a beautiful lady caught in the turmoil of war. As their love unfolds amidst the backdrop of the Trojan War, the story examines both the joy and suffering that accompany passionate love, setting the stage for the trials they will face. At the start of the narrative, we meet Troilus, who becomes enamored with Criseyde as he observes her at a festival dedicated to the goddess of love. His initial disdain for love quickly transforms into deep desire, leading him to experience the turmoil of unrequited affection. Criseyde, meanwhile, is introduced through the narrative of her father, Calchas, who has defected to the Greeks. This background adds complexity to Criseyde’s situation as she navigates the fallout from her father’s betrayal and her own feelings as a widow. The opening sets a somber tone, as the narrator calls upon the muse for guidance and prepares to recount the poignant adventures and misfortunes that befall the lovers, foreshadowing the heart-wrenching events that will evolve. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Language |
English |
LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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Subject |
Troilus (Legendary character) -- Poetry
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Subject |
Trojan War -- Poetry
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Subject |
Cressida (Fictitious character) -- Poetry
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Subject |
Troy (Extinct city) -- Poetry
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Category |
Text |
EBook-No. |
257 |
Release Date |
May 1, 1995 |
Most Recently Updated |
Jan 31, 2013 |
Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
Downloads |
2942 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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