| Troilus and Cressida | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of a Lady in the Character of Cressida, John Opie (c. 1800) | |
| Written by | William Shakespeare |
| Characters | See text |
| Original language | English |
| Series | First Folio |
| Subject | Trojan War |
| Genre | Shakespearean problem play |
| Setting | Troy, Trojan War |
The Tragedy of Troilus and Cressida, often shortened to Troilus and Cressida (/ˈtrɔɪlʌs ... ˈkrɛsɪdə/ or /ˈtroʊ.ɪlʌs/)[1][2]), is a play by William Shakespeare, probably written in 1602.
At Troy during the Trojan War, Troilus and Cressida begin a love affair. Cressida is forced to leave Troy to join her father in the Greek camp. Meanwhile, the Greeks endeavour to lessen the pride of Achilles.
The tone alternates between bawdy comedy and tragic gloom. Readers and theatre-goers have frequently found it difficult to understand how they are meant to respond to the characters. Frederick S. Boas has labelled it one of Shakespeare's problem plays. In recent years it has "stimulated exceptionally lively critical debate".[3]
- ^ Stage director John Barton notes that, should the metre demand it, Troilus should be pronounced with three syllables: Barton, John (1984). Playing Shakespeare. London: Methuen. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-413-54790-3.
- ^ Nicola, James B. (2002). Playing the audience : the practical actor's guide to live performance. New York: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 204. ISBN 9781557834928.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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