Character Construction of Chaucers Troilus and Criseyde
Character Construction in Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde Chaucer's epic poem, Troilus and Criseyde, is not a new tale, but one Chaucer merely expanded upon. One of these expansions that Chaucer's work has become renowned for is the improvement of the characters. Generally, Chaucer's characters have more texture, depth, humanity, and subtlety than those of the previous tales. Of the three main figures in the epic poem, Troilus, Criseyde, and Pandarus, Pandarus is the character that Chaucer took the most liberty with, creating and evolving Pandarus until he had taken on an entirely different role. However, this is not to say that Chaucer did not add his own style to Troilus and Criseyde. Chaucer's continual development of the primary characters definitely lend more interest and humor to the epic poem, Troilus and Criseyde. The most interesting character by far is Pandarus. He serves as the protagonist and go between for Troilus and Criseyde. In fact, one could argue if it were not for him, Troilus may never have attained the brief affections of his lady love, Criseyde. When Pandarus comes across an uneasy Troilus and inquires as to the cause of his trouble, his speech is very eloquent. It is this speech that giv
After coaxing Criseyde to pass the night at his house and after hiding Troilus in a cramped closet, Pandarus' actions reveal his true busy-body qualities. She recognizes she has committed a wrong, even thought she believes she can never atone for it. This is where the tragedy of Criseyde begins, according to Gordon. Aside from the intellectual side of Pandarus, Chaucer develops a very human aspect to this character. She has all the honorable intentions that get pushed aside with Pandarus' help. They hold that the lover will always choose to serve the lady he loves, requesting that he would be the only one she allow to serve her. The Development of Character in Troilus and Criseyde. Criseyde tragedy is self-deception. Both Criseyde and Pandarus realize that he is not fulfilling his duty as an older relative" and that by pleading the case for Troilus, Pandarus is dishonoring Criseyde (Berkeley Research 5). He is always present during the conversations of the lover and often stays past the time to leave by unobtrusively claiming to read books. However at the same time, by exemplifying the hero, Chaucer shows how ridiculous and pathetic the courtly lover is, especially at his most romantic moment. Furthermore, Troilus never doubts that Criseyde will remain faithful to him. With her acceptance of Diomede, Criseyde breaks the code of courtly love, marking her as weak and perhaps a bit of an opportunist.
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