Cressida speaks in rapid-fire wordplay and deflection — every sentence seems to dodge while actually probing. Watch for how she turns Pandarus's enthusiasm back on him, and how her soliloquies reveal a much colder, clearer intelligence than her public persona.
Who were those went by?
Who are those people who just went by?
Who were those guys walking past?
who were those people?
Alexander speaks in formal descriptive prose — the servant who has studied his betters and can reproduce their rhetorical style. He's essentially a walking news report.
Queen Hecuba and Helen.
The Queen Hecuba and Helen, the wife of Paris.
It's Queen Hecuba and Helen—Paris's wife.
hecuba and helen (paris's wife)
And whither go they?
Where are they going?
Where are they headed?
where they going?
Up to the eastern tower,
Whose height commands as subject all the vale,
To see the battle. Hector, whose patience
Is as a virtue fix’d, today was mov’d.
He chid Andromache, and struck his armourer;
And, like as there were husbandry in war,
Before the sun rose he was harness’d light,
And to the field goes he; where every flower
Did as a prophet weep what it foresaw
In Hector’s wrath.
Up to the eastern tower, whose height overlooks the whole valley, to watch the battle. Hector, a man of constant patience, was upset today. He scolded Andromache and hit his armourer; and as if there were military discipline in war, before sunrise he had armed himself lightly, and he went to the battlefield; where every flower cried like a prophet, foreseeing what Hector's anger would bring.
Up to the east tower— you can see the whole valley from up there— to watch the fighting. Hector, the guy who never gets angry, lost it today. He yelled at Andromache, even punched his armourer; like he was running a drill or something. Before the sun came up he had his armor on, and off he went to battle; and honestly, even the flowers seemed to know what was coming, like they were crying about Hector's rage.
east tower—watch the whole valley from there hector who never gets mad? flipped today yelled at andromache, hit his armourer armored up before sunrise, went to battle even the flowers knew what hector's rage meant
What was his cause of anger?
What made him so angry?
What made him lose it like that?
what made him so mad?
The noise goes, this: there is among the Greeks
A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector;
They call him Ajax.
The rumor is this: among the Greeks there is a man of Trojan descent, Hector's nephew; they call him Ajax.
So the story goes: there's this Greek who's actually got Trojan blood—he's Hector's nephew— and they call him Ajax.
rumor: there's a greek guy who's actually trojan hector's nephew—they call him ajax
Good; and what of him?
Good; so what about him?
Okay, so what's the deal with him?
ok so what about him
They say he is a very man _per se_
And stands alone.
They say he is a complete man in himself, and he stands alone.
They say he's a man unto himself, completely self-contained.
he's his own man stands alone
So do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or have no legs.
So do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or missing their legs.
Yeah, well, most people are their own man unless they're wasted, dying, or have no legs.
yeah so does everyone else unless drunk sick or legless lol
This man, lady, hath robb’d many beasts of their particular additions:
he is as valiant as the lion, churlish as the bear, slow as the
elephant—a man into whom nature hath so crowded humours that his valour
is crush’d into folly, his folly sauced with discretion. There is no
man hath a virtue that he hath not a glimpse of, nor any man an attaint
but he carries some stain of it; he is melancholy without cause and
merry against the hair; he hath the joints of everything; but
everything so out of joint that he is a gouty Briareus, many hands and
no use, or purblind Argus, all eyes and no sight.
This man, lady, has stolen distinctive qualities from many animals: he is as brave as a lion, as crude as a bear, as slow as an elephant—a man into whom nature has packed so many contrasting traits that his courage is crushed by foolishness, his foolishness seasoned with wisdom. There is no man who has a virtue that he does not have a glimpse of, nor any man who has a flaw but he carries some hint of it; he is sad for no reason and cheerful against his nature; he has the abilities of everything, but everything is so unbalanced in him that he is like the many-handed Briareus with gout—many hands but useless, or like Argus who was all eyes but blind.
This guy, lady, he's basically stolen traits from every animal: he's as brave as a lion, mean as a bear, slow as an elephant—nature just packed too many contradictions into him so his courage gets crushed by his stupidity, and his stupidity gets balanced out by his wisdom. Every good quality some man has, he's got a little bit of it too, and every flaw too; he gets depressed for no reason and happy when he shouldn't be; he's got the abilities of everyone but nothing works right because he's so messed up—like that many-handed giant with gout, all these hands but can't use them, or like Argus with a thousand eyes but totally blind.
he's stolen traits from every animal brave as lion, rude as bear, slow as elephant so many contradictions crammed in him bravery crushed by stupidity, stupidity balanced by wisdom has every good quality AND every flaw sad for no reason, happy when he shouldn't be like a many-handed cripple or someone with eyes but can't see
But how should this man, that makes me smile, make Hector angry?
But how could this man, who makes me smile, make Hector angry?
But how could this guy, who I think is kind of funny, get Hector to lose his temper like that?
but how'd this funny guy make hector mad?
They say he yesterday cop’d Hector in the battle and struck him down,
the disdain and shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting and
waking.
They say yesterday he caught Hector in battle and knocked him down, and the shame and disgrace of it has kept Hector from eating and sleeping since then.
They say yesterday he fought Hector one-on-one and threw him down, and Hector's been so humiliated and furious that he hasn't slept or eaten once since it happened.
yesterday he fought hector threw him down hector's been too ashamed and mad to sleep or eat since
Who comes here?
Who is that?
Who's that?
who is it?
Madam, your uncle Pandarus.
Madam, it is your uncle Pandarus.
That's your uncle Pandarus, ma'am.
your uncle pandarus
Hector’s a gallant man.
Hector is a gallant man.
Hector's amazing.
hector's gallant
As may be in the world, lady.
Indeed, madam, he is as good as any in the world.
Yeah, as good as anyone you'll find.
best in the world
What’s that? What’s that?
What's going on? I missed that.
Huh? I didn't catch that.
wait what
Good morrow, uncle Pandarus.
Good morning, uncle Pandarus.
Hi, uncle Pandarus.
hey uncle pandarus
Good morrow, cousin Cressid. What do you talk of?—Good morrow,
Alexander.—How do you, cousin? When were you at Ilium?
Good morning, cousin Cressida. What are you all talking about?—Good morning, Alexander.—How are you, cousin? When did you arrive at Ilium?
Hey Cressida, good morning. What are you guys talking about?—Morning, Alexander.—How are you doing, cousin? When'd you get to Ilium?
hey cressida morning—what's up? morning alexander how are you? when'd you get here?
This morning, uncle.
This morning, uncle.
this morning, uncle.
this morning, uncle.
What were you talking of when I came? Was Hector arm’d and gone ere you
came to Ilium? Helen was not up, was she?
What were you talking about when I arrived? Had Hector already armed himself and left before you got to Ilium? Was Helen still asleep?
What were you guys talking about when I came in? Had Hector already suited up and gone out to fight before you got to Ilium? Was Helen still sleeping?
what were you talking about had hector left already was helen still asleep
Hector was gone; but Helen was not up.
Hector had left; but Helen was not awake.
Hector had already gone; but Helen was still sleeping.
hector left but helen was still sleeping
E’en so. Hector was stirring early.
Even so. Hector was up and about very early.
Right. Hector was up before dawn.
yeah hector woke up super early
That were we talking of, and of his anger.
That's exactly the subject we were discussing, and particularly his wrath.
That's exactly what we were discussing—Hector waking up early and his rage.
hector's mood was our whole topic
Was he angry?
Was he angry?
was he angry?
was he angry?
So he says here.
That's what he says—according to Alexander here.
That's what our friend here says happened.
that's what he says
True, he was so; I know the cause too; he’ll lay about him today, I can
tell them that. And there’s Troilus will not come far behind him; let
them take heed of Troilus, I can tell them that too.
It's true, he was; I know the reason too; he's going to fight hard today, I can guarantee you that. And there's Troilus too—he won't be far behind; people should watch out for Troilus, I can tell you that as well.
He sure was, and I know why; he's going to tear things up today, trust me on that. And Troilus—he's no joke either; he's going to be right there too, so they better watch out for him, I'm telling you.
he was mad i know why he's gonna fight hard today troilus too—watch out for him both of them are serious
What, is he angry too?
Is Troilus also in a rage?
So Troilus is also all wound up?
troilus mad too?
Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of the two.
Troilus surpasses Hector as a man.
Troilus outclasses Hector any day.
troilus > hector
O Jupiter! there’s no comparison.
By Jupiter! There's simply no comparison.
Oh come on, there's no comparison at all.
there's no comparison at all
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do you know a man if you see him?
What, no comparison between Troilus and Hector? Do you even know what a man looks like if you see one?
What, between Troilus and Hector there's no difference? Can you even recognize a man when you see one?
between troilus and hector? can you even recognize a man lol
Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.
Yes, if I had seen him before and knew him.
Yes, if I'd already met him and knew who he was.
if i'd seen him before yeah
Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.
Well, he is precisely who he is: Troilus.
Look, Troilus is who Troilus is.
troilus stays troilus
Then you say as I say, for I am sure he is not Hector.
Then you're saying what I'm saying, because I'm certain he is not Hector.
Then we agree on that, because I'm sure Troilus is definitely not Hector.
right, troilus is not hector
No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.
No, and Hector is not Troilus in every way.
Right, and Hector isn't Troilus either, in some respects.
hector's not troilus either
’Tis just to each of them: he is himself.
That's fair to both of them: each one is himself.
That's only fair: they're each their own person.
exactly—they're each their own person
The myth of Cressida the faithless woman long predates Shakespeare — Chaucer wrote her, Boccaccio wrote her, medieval moralists denounced her. By 1602 her name had become a synonym for inconstancy. Shakespeare's audiences walked in knowing how the story would end. What Shakespeare does that's radical is give her a soliloquy that explains her actions before they happen, and that explanation is not weakness or fickleness — it's game theory. She understands power. She understands that women in her world have exactly one bargaining chip (their consent) and that the moment they spend it, they have nothing left. The tragedy of Cressida is not that she's weak. It's that she's right — and the world still destroys her anyway.
Himself! Alas, poor Troilus! I would he were!
Himself! Alas, poor Troilus! I wish he were!
Himself! Oh Troilus, I only wish he were!
i wish he was himself
So he is.
So he is.
so he is.
so he is.
Condition I had gone barefoot to India.
If only that were true, I would have walked barefoot to India.
If that were the case, I'd walk to India barefoot without complaining.
if that was true id walk barefoot to india
He is not Hector.
Troilus is certainly not Hector.
But clearly he's not Hector.
def not hector
Himself! no, he’s not himself. Would a’ were himself! Well, the gods
are above; time must friend or end. Well, Troilus, well! I would my
heart were in her body! No, Hector is not a better man than Troilus.
Himself! No, he's not himself. I wish he were! Well, the gods are above; time must either be his friend or end the matter. Well, Troilus, well! I wish my heart were in her body! No, Hector is not a better man than Troilus.
Himself! No, the poor guy's not even himself. God, I wish he were! Well, what can you do—the gods control things; time will either work out for him or it won't. Oh, Troilus, if only my heart were in her! But no, Hector's not a better man than Troilus, I'm telling you.
he's not himself i wish he was the gods control this time will help or it won't hector's not better than troilus
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
excuse me.
excuse me.
He is elder.
He is elder.
he is elder.
he is elder.
Pardon me, pardon me.
Forgive me, forgive me.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
sorry sorry
Th’other’s not come to’t; you shall tell me another tale when
th’other’s come to’t. Hector shall not have his wit this year.
The other hasn't come to that yet; you'll tell me a different story when the other one has reached his prime. Hector won't have his intelligence this year.
Troilus hasn't reached his peak yet; you'll change your tune when he does. Hector won't have his brains this year—Troilus is going to outsmart him.
troilus hasn't peaked yet he'll prove you wrong when he does hector won't match his wit this year
He shall not need it if he have his own.
He won't need it if he has his own.
He doesn't need Hector's—he's got his own intelligence.
he's got his own intelligence
Nor his qualities.
Nor his qualities.
nor his qualities.
nor his qualities.
No matter.
No matter.
no matter.
no matter.
Nor his beauty.
Nor his beauty.
nor his beauty.
nor his beauty.
’Twould not become him: his own’s better.
That wouldn't suit him: his own is better.
That wouldn't look good on him anyway—his own is more beautiful.
that wouldn't look good on him his own's better
You have no judgement, niece. Helen herself swore th’other day that
Troilus, for a brown favour, for so ’tis, I must confess—not brown
neither—
You don't have good judgment, niece. Helen herself swore the other day that Troilus, with his dark complexion—which is the case, I must admit—not dark though—
You've got no taste, niece. Helen actually said the other day that Troilus with his dark looks—which he does have, I'll give you that—well, not exactly dark—
you got no taste helen said troilus has good dark looks well kind of dark—
No, but brown.
No, but brown.
no, but brown.
no, but brown.
Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
In truth, to tell the truth, dark and not dark.
Honestly, to be truthful about it, he's kind of dark and kind of not.
like dark but not really
To say the truth, true and not true.
To tell the truth, true and not true.
Exactly—true and not true at the same time.
true and not true lol
She prais’d his complexion above Paris.
She praised his complexion above Paris's.
She said his complexion was better than Paris's.
she said his looks beat paris
Why, Paris hath colour enough.
Why, Paris has enough color—he looks fine.
Well, Paris is good-looking enough.
paris looks fine
So he has.
So he has.
so he has.
so he has.
Then Troilus should have too much. If she prais’d him above, his
complexion is higher than his; he having colour enough, and the other
higher, is too flaming a praise for a good complexion. I had as lief
Helen’s golden tongue had commended Troilus for a copper nose.
Then Troilus should have too much color then. If she praised him above Paris, and his complexion is brighter than Paris's—Paris already being colorful—then his is too bright a compliment for someone's looks. I would have preferred Helen's eloquent tongue had praised Troilus by calling his nose like copper.
Then Troilus would have too much color. If she said he's better-looking than Paris, and his looks are brighter than Paris's—and Paris already looks good—then his complexion would be too bright. I'd rather Helen had just said Troilus had a copper nose instead.
troilus'd have too much color then if she said he looks better than paris and his looks are brighter than paris's already-good looks that's too much praise i'd rather she just said he had a copper nose lol
I swear to you I think Helen loves him better than Paris.
I declare to you, Helen has deeper feeling for Troilus than for Paris.
Mark my words—Helen prefers Troilus to her own husband Paris.
helen's into troilus not paris
Then she’s a merry Greek indeed.
Then she's a cheerful Greek woman indeed.
Well then she's definitely having a good time.
well she's having fun then
Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him th’other day into the
compass’d window—and you know he has not past three or four hairs on
his chin—
No, I'm sure she does. She came to him the other day into the curved window—and you know he barely has three or four hairs on his chin—
No, I know she does. She came to him the other day at that curved window—and you know he hardly has three or four whiskers on his chin—
she came to him at the window and he's got like 3 hairs on his chin—
Indeed a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring his particulars therein to
a total.
Indeed, a bartender's math could quickly add up his hairs to a total.
Yeah, a bartender could count his facial hairs on one hand.
yeah a bartender could count them all
Why, he is very young, and yet will he within three pound lift as much
as his brother Hector.
He's just a young lad, yet in another three pounds of weight he'll be strong enough to lift as much as his older brother Hector can.
He's just a kid, but once he puts on just a little more muscle, he'll lift as much as Hector.
he's young but soon he'll have hector's strength
Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
Is he such a young man and yet such an accomplished lifter?
Wait, he's that young and already lifting that much?
he's that young and lifts that much?
But to prove to you that Helen loves him: she came and puts me her
white hand to his cloven chin—
But as evidence that Helen loves him: she came and placed her white hand on his cleft chin—
But here's the proof Helen's into him: she went up to him and touched his chin with her beautiful white hand—
she touched his chin with her hand
Juno have mercy! How came it cloven?
Juno have mercy! How did it become cleft?
Holy gods! How did his chin get like that?
how'd his chin get cleft
Why, you know, ’tis dimpled. I think his smiling becomes him better
than any man in all Phrygia.
Well, you know, it's dimpled. I think his smile looks better on him than on any man in all of Phrygia.
Well, you know, it's got a dimple. I think his smile looks better than any other man's smile in the whole region.
it's dimpled his smile's the best around
O, he smiles valiantly!
Oh, he smiles so gallantly!
Oh, he's got a great smile!
his smile is great
Does he not?
Does he not?
does he not?
does he not?
O yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn!
Oh yes, like a cloud in autumn!
Oh yeah, like some gray cloud in fall!
yeah like a cloud in autumn lol
Why, go to, then! But to prove to you that Helen loves Troilus—
Come now, then! But to prove to you that Helen loves Troilus—
Alright then! But to show you that Helen's in love with Troilus—
ok but helen loves troilus right—
Troilus will stand to the proof, if you’ll prove it so.
Troilus will stand to the proof, if you'll demonstrate it.
Troilus will back that up, if you can actually prove it.
troilus would back that up
Troilus! Why, he esteems her no more than I esteem an addle egg.
Troilus! Why, he thinks of her no more than I think of a rotten egg.
Troilus! He cares about her about as much as I care for a rotten egg.
troilus cares about her like i care for a rotten egg
If you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head, you would
eat chickens i’ th’ shell.
If you love a rotten egg as much as you love a lazy person, you would eat eggs still in the shell.
If you cared about rotten eggs as much as you do about lazy people, you'd eat eggs raw in the shell.
if you loved rotten eggs that much you'd eat them in the shell
The parade of Trojan heroes past Cressida and Pandarus works as both plot (giving the audience a cast introduction) and commentary. Pandarus's commentary is relentlessly promotional but also comically inflated — he sees everything through the lens of Troilus's superiority. Cressida deflates every compliment with a pun or a logic trap. The scene is also structurally ironic: these men are being observed (sized up, catalogued) by a woman who is supposed to be the passive object of courtship. The watchers are watching the watched. Antenor's moment is particularly loaded — Cressida notes him, and he will be the man whose exchange for her triggers the central catastrophe of the play.
I cannot choose but laugh to think how she tickled his chin. Indeed,
she has a marvell’s white hand, I must needs confess.
I can't help but laugh when I think how she tickled his chin. Indeed, she has a wonderfully white hand, I must admit.
I crack up thinking about how she played with his chin. Her hand is really beautiful and white, I gotta say.
she played with his chin haha her hand is gorgeous
Without the rack.
Without the rack.
without the rack.
without the rack.
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin.
And she took it upon herself to look for a white hair on his chin.
And she went out of her way to find a white hair on his chin.
she looked for a white hair on his chin
Alas, poor chin! Many a wart is richer.
Poor chin! Many a wart is richer than that.
Poor chin! A wart would have more going on.
poor chin even a wart's better
But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba laugh’d that her eyes ran
o’er.
But there was such laughter! Queen Hecuba laughed so hard that tears ran down her face.
But everyone was cracking up! Queen Hecuba laughed so hard she started crying.
everyone was laughing hecuba cried laughing
With millstones.
With millstones.
with millstones.
with millstones.
And Cassandra laugh’d.
And Cassandra laugh’d.
and cassandra laugh’d.
and cassandra laugh’d.
But there was a more temperate fire under the pot of her eyes. Did her
eyes run o’er too?
But there was a more restrained emotion simmering in her eyes. Did her eyes overflow with tears too?
But there was something more controlled going on with her. Did her eyes fill with tears too?
but there was something different about her did her eyes tear up too
And Hector laugh’d.
And Hector laugh’d.
and hector laugh’d.
and hector laugh’d.
At what was all this laughing?
What was everyone laughing at?
What were they all laughing about?
what were they laughing at
Marry, at the white hair that Helen spied on Troilus’ chin.
By heaven, at the white hair that Helen found on Troilus' chin.
At that white hair Helen spotted on Troilus' chin.
the white hair on troilus's chin
And’t had been a green hair I should have laugh’d too.
If it had been a green hair I should have laughed too.
If it'd been a green hair I would've laughed just as hard.
i'd laugh if it was green
They laugh’d not so much at the hair as at his pretty answer.
They didn't laugh so much at the hair itself as at his clever response.
They weren't laughing at the hair as much as they were at what he said back.
they weren't laughing at the hair they were laughing at his answer
What was his answer?
What did he actually say in response?
Well, what did he shoot back?
what'd he say back
Quoth she ‘Here’s but two and fifty hairs on your chin, and one of them
is white.’
She said 'There are only fifty-two hairs on your chin, and one of them is white.'
She goes 'You've got fifty-two hairs on your chin, and one of 'em is white.'
she said 'there's 52 hairs on your chin and one is white'
This is her question.
That remark was Helen's contribution to the moment.
That's Helen making her comment.
that's helen talking
That’s true; make no question of that. ‘Two and fifty hairs,’ quoth he
‘and one white. That white hair is my father, and all the rest are his
sons.’ ‘Jupiter!’ quoth she ‘which of these hairs is Paris my husband?’
‘The forked one,’ quoth he, ’pluck’t out and give it him.’ But there
was such laughing! and Helen so blush’d, and Paris so chaf’d; and all
the rest so laugh’d that it pass’d.
That's right; no doubt about that. 'Fifty-two hairs,' he said, 'and one white. That white hair is my father, and all the rest are his sons.' 'Jupiter!' she cried, 'which of these hairs is Paris my husband?' 'The forked one,' he answered, 'pull it out and give it to him.' But there was such laughter! and Helen blushed so much, and Paris got so angry; and all the rest laughed so hard that it was overwhelming.
'Fifty-two hairs,' he says, 'and one white. That white hair is my father, and the rest are all his sons.' 'Jupiter!' she asks, 'which one is Paris my husband?' 'The forked one,' he says, 'pull it out and give it to him.' But everyone just lost it! Helen was so embarrassed, Paris was fuming, and everyone was laughing so hard it was insane.
'52 hairs and one white the white is my father all others are his sons' 'which is paris my husband' 'the forked one pull it out' everyone LOST IT helen embarrassed paris mad laughter everywhere
So let it now; for it has been a great while going by.
Let that be in the past now; it's been going around for a long time.
Let's leave that behind; it's been making the rounds for ages already.
that was ages ago forget it
Well, cousin, I told you a thing yesterday; think on’t.
Well, cousin, I mentioned something to you yesterday; keep reflecting on it.
Well, cousin, I said something to you yesterday; keep thinking about it.
remember what i said? think about it
So I do.
So I do.
so i do.
so i do.
I’ll be sworn ’tis true; he will weep you, and ’twere a man born in
April.
I swear it's true; he will cry for you, even though he were a man born in April—one of those sensitive spring babies.
I'm telling you it's true; he would cry for you, like some sensitive April baby.
he'll cry for you he's emotional like an april baby
And I’ll spring up in his tears, an ’twere a nettle against May.
And I will grow up from his tears, like a nettle shooting up in May.
And I'll spring up from his tears like a nettle growing in May.
i'll grow from his tears like nettles in may
Hark! they are coming from the field. Shall we stand up here and see
them as they pass toward Ilium? Good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.
Listen! They are coming back from the battlefield. Should we stand up here and watch them as they pass toward Ilium? Good niece, please do, sweet niece Cressida.
Listen! The soldiers are coming back from the fight. Should we stand up here and watch them go by toward Ilium? Come on, niece, do it, sweet Cressida.
they're coming back from battle let's watch them go by please cressida
At your pleasure.
At your pleasure.
at your pleasure.
at your pleasure.
Here, here, here’s an excellent place; here we may see most bravely.
I’ll tell you them all by their names as they pass by; but mark Troilus
above the rest.
Here, here—this is an excellent spot; here we can see everything beautifully. I'll point out each one by name as they pass by; but pay special attention to Troilus above all the others.
Here, here—this is the perfect place; we can see everything great from here. I'll tell you who each one is as they walk by; but watch Troilus especially.
perfect spot i'll name them as they pass watch troilus most of all
Speak not so loud.
Don't speak so loudly.
Keep your voice down.
shhh
That’s Aeneas. Is not that a brave man? He’s one of the flowers of
Troy, I can tell you. But mark Troilus; you shall see anon.
That's Aeneas. Is he not a fine man? He's one of the finest warriors of Troy, I can tell you. But watch Troilus; you will see him in a moment.
That's Aeneas. Isn't he impressive? He's one of the best fighters in Troy, believe me. But watch for Troilus; he's coming.
that's aeneas great fighter but watch for troilus
Who’s that?
Who’s that?
who’s that?
who’s that?
That’s Antenor. He has a shrewd wit, I can tell you; and he’s a man
good enough; he’s one o’ th’ soundest judgements in Troy, whosoever,
and a proper man of person. When comes Troilus? I’ll show you Troilus
anon. If he see me, you shall see him nod at me.
That's Antenor. He has a sharp intellect, I can tell you; and he's a good man besides; he's one of the soundest judges in Troy, anyone would say, and a man of impressive bearing. When does Troilus come? I'll show you Troilus momentarily. If he sees me, you will see him wave at me.
That's Antenor. He's smart as a whip, I'm telling you; and he's a good guy too; he's got one of the best minds in Troy, everybody knows that, and he looks impressive. When's Troilus coming? I'll point him out in a second. If he sees me, you'll see him nod at me.
that's antenor sharp mind one of the best judges in troy impressive guy where's troilus he'll wave at me if he sees me
Will he give you the nod?
Will he give you a sign of recognition?
Is he going to notice me?
will he notice me?
You shall see.
You shall see.
you shall see.
you shall see.
If he do, the rich shall have more.
If he does, those already favored will have more.
If he nods at you, those already rich in his favor will get even more.
rich just get richer
That’s Hector, that, that, look you, that; there’s a fellow! Go thy
way, Hector! There’s a brave man, niece. O brave Hector! Look how he
looks. There’s a countenance! Is’t not a brave man?
That's Hector right there—see him? There's a real man! Go on, Hector! That's a brave warrior, cousin. O brave Hector! Look at him! There's a face! Isn't that a brave man?
That's Hector—look at him! There's the real deal! Go on, Hector! That's a brave man, cousin. Hector! Look at his presence! What a face! Isn't he something?
thats hector - look! thats a man! go hector! brave! look at him! what a face!
O, a brave man!
What a brave warrior!
Yeah, he's brave!
yeah hes brave
Pandarus's genius as a character is that he never seems to be doing what he's doing. He constantly threatens to withdraw (he did it in Act 1 scene 1, he does it here), makes everything about his own unappreciated effort, and then turns around and keeps selling. His technique with Cressida is to praise Troilus as if he can barely help himself, share gossip that makes Troilus sound witty and strong, and deploy Helen as an endorsement. He never makes a direct pitch. This is the medieval and Renaissance tradition of the go-between elevated to an art form — and Shakespeare is already noting its transactional, exploitative edge. When Cressida says 'by the same token you are a bawd,' she's making explicit what the entire scene has shown.
Is a’ not? It does a man’s heart good. Look you what hacks are on his
helmet! Look you yonder, do you see? Look you there. There’s no
jesting; there’s laying on; take’t off who will, as they say. There be
hacks.
Isn't he? It does my heart good. Look at the sword cuts on his helmet! Look over there—do you see? Look there. There's no joking about it; there's real fighting; take it off whoever wants to, as they say. There are real sword cuts.
Isn't he just? It makes me feel good. Look at all those sword wounds on his helmet! See them over there? Look at that. There's no joking around—that's real battle damage; anyone who wants to can try to remove those marks, as they say. That's real fighting.
right? makes me feel good. look at his helmet cuts! so many hacks from real fighting
Be those with swords?
Are those wounds from swords?
Did swords do those?
from swords?
Swords! anything, he cares not; and the devil come to him, it’s all
one. By God’s lid, it does one’s heart good. Yonder comes Paris, yonder
comes Paris.
Swords or anything else—he doesn't care. Even if the devil came to him, it would be all the same to him. Honestly, it does my heart good. Here comes Paris, here comes Paris.
Swords, anything—he doesn't care. If the devil himself showed up, it wouldn't matter to him. Honestly, it makes me proud. Here comes Paris, here comes Paris.
swords anything - he dont care. makes me happy. here comes paris
Look ye yonder, niece; is’t not a gallant man too, is’t not? Why, this
is brave now. Who said he came hurt home today? He’s not hurt. Why,
this will do Helen’s heart good now, ha! Would I could see Troilus now!
You shall see Troilus anon.
Look over there, niece; isn't that a handsome man too? Why, this is wonderful. Who said he came home wounded today? He's not hurt. Why, this will make Helen's heart happy now! I wish I could see Troilus now! You will see Troilus shortly.
Check out that guy over there, niece—isn't he handsome too? This is so great. Who said he got wounded coming home today? He's fine. This is going to make Helen so happy! God, I wish I could see Troilus right now! You're going to see him any minute.
look at that guy niece isn't he hot who said he got hurt he's fine this'll make helen so happy i'm dying to see troilus he's coming soon
Who’s that?
Who’s that?
who’s that?
who’s that?
That’s Helenus. I marvel where Troilus is. That’s
Helenus. I think he went not forth today. That’s Helenus.
That's Helenus. I wonder where Troilus is. That's Helenus. I think he didn't go out to battle today. That's Helenus.
That's Helenus. I wonder where Troilus is. That's Helenus. I don't think he's fighting today. That's Helenus.
thats helenus. where's troilus? thats helenus. dont think hes out
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
Is Helenus able to hold his own in battle, uncle?
Can Helenus actually fight?
can helenus fight?
Helenus! no. Yes, he’ll fight indifferent well. I marvel where Troilus
is. Hark! do you not hear the people cry ‘Troilus’?—Helenus is a
priest.
Helenus? No. Well, he'll fight reasonably well. I wonder where Troilus is. Listen, don't you hear the people shouting 'Troilus'?—Helenus is a priest.
Helenus? No way. Well, he can fight okay, I guess. I wonder where Troilus is. Wait, don't you hear the crowd yelling 'Troilus'?—Helenus is a priest anyway.
helenus? nah. fights okay i guess. where troilus? hear the crowd? hes a priest
What sneaking fellow comes yonder?
Who is that sneaking fellow coming this way?
Who's that coward coming over here?
who's that coming?
Where? yonder? That’s Deiphobus. ’Tis Troilus. There’s a man, niece.
Hem! Brave Troilus, the prince of chivalry!
Where? Over there? That's Deiphobus. No, it's Troilus. There's a man, cousin. Listen! Brave Troilus, the prince of chivalry!
Where? That guy? That's Deiphobus. Wait, no—it's Troilus. That's the man, cousin. Wow! Brave Troilus, the epitome of chivalry!
where? thats deiphobus. wait no troilus! thats the man! brave troilus!
Peace, for shame, peace!
Stop it—you're embarrassing me!
Come on, that's enough!
stop omg
Mark him; note him. O brave Troilus! Look well upon him, niece; look
you how his sword is bloodied, and his helm more hack’d than Hector’s;
and how he looks, and how he goes! O admirable youth! he never saw
three and twenty. Go thy way, Troilus, go thy way. Had I a sister were
a grace or a daughter a goddess, he should take his choice. O admirable
man! Paris? Paris is dirt to him; and, I warrant, Helen, to change,
would give an eye to boot.
Pay attention to him; notice him. O brave Troilus! Look carefully at him, cousin; look how his sword is covered in blood, and his helmet more scarred than Hector's; and how he looks, and how he moves! O admirable young man! He's not even twenty-three. Go on, Troilus, go on. If I had a sister who was a goddess or a daughter who was a goddess, he should have his choice. O admirable man! Paris? Paris is nothing compared to him; and I guarantee, Helen would give an eye to change partners, and throw in more besides.
Watch him; look at him carefully. O brave Troilus! Look at him closely, cousin; see how his sword is covered in blood, and his helmet scarred worse than Hector's; the way he looks and how he carries himself! O remarkable young man! He's only twenty-three. Go on, Troilus. If I had a sister who was a goddess or a daughter who was one, he should pick whichever he wanted. O incredible man! Paris? Paris is dirt next to him. I swear, Helen would trade for him and give up something else too.
watch him! brave troilus! bloody sword! scarred helmet! look at him! only 23! incredible! paris is nothing vs him. helen would trade for him
Here comes more.
Here comes more.
here comes more.
here comes more.
Asses, fools, dolts! chaff and bran, chaff and bran! porridge after
meat! I could live and die in the eyes of Troilus. Ne’er look, ne’er
look; the eagles are gone. Crows and daws, crows and daws! I had rather
be such a man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all Greece.
Fools, idiots, blockheads! Chaff and bran, chaff and bran! Porridge after meat! I could spend my whole life just looking at Troilus. Stop looking, stop looking; the eagles are gone. Crows and jackdaws, crows and jackdaws! I'd rather be such a man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all of Greece.
Idiots, fools, blockheads! Total garbage, garbage! Scraps after the main course! I could spend forever just watching Troilus. Don't look, don't look; the great ones are gone. Just crows and magpies, crows and magpies! I'd rather be Troilus than Agamemnon and every Greek warrior combined.
idiots fools garbage! id spend forever watching troilus. no more eagles. just crows. better to be troilus than agamemnon & greece
There is amongst the Greeks Achilles, a better man than Troilus.
There is a Greek named Achilles who is a better man than Troilus.
There's an Achilles among the Greeks who's better than Troilus.
achilles is better
Achilles? A drayman, a porter, a very camel!
Achilles? A cart driver, a dock worker, a complete dull beast!
Achilles? A truck driver, a dock worker, totally boring!
achilles? a beast lol
Well, well.
Well, well.
well, well.
well, well.
Well, well! Why, have you any discretion? Have you any eyes? Do you
know what a man is? Is not birth, beauty, good shape, discourse,
manhood, learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and such
like, the spice and salt that season a man?
Really! Do you have any judgment? Do you have any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is not birth, beauty, good shape, conversation, manhood, learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, generosity, and such things the seasoning that makes a man?
Well! Don't you have any sense? Don't you see? Do you know what makes a man? Isn't it birth, looks, good shape, how he talks, manliness, learning, gentleness, character, youth, generosity—all those things that make someone a real man?
dont u see? dont u know what a man is? birth beauty manners learning virtue youth generosity - all that
Ay, a minc’d man; and then to be bak’d with no date in the pie, for
then the man’s date is out.
Yes, a man ground into fine flour; and then if you bake it without dates in the pie, the man's time is expired.
Yeah, a man all minced up; and if you bake him in a pie with no dates, then he's past his expiration date.
yeah minced man without dates in pie - hes past his date
You are such a woman! A man knows not at what ward you lie.
You are such a woman! A man never knows what defense you're ready with.
That's so like you! A man never knows what guard you'll put up.
ur impossible lol
Upon my back, to defend my belly; upon my wit, to defend my wiles; upon
my secrecy, to defend mine honesty; my mask, to defend my beauty; and
you, to defend all these; and at all these wards I lie, at a thousand
watches.
On my back, to protect my belly; on my wit, to protect my tricks; on my privacy, to protect my virtue; my veil, to protect my beauty; and you, to protect all of these; and at all these positions I stand guard, at a thousand different watch posts.
On my back to guard my belly; on my smarts to guard my tricks; on my discretion to guard my honor; my face covering to guard my looks; and you to guard all of them; and I'm constantly defending from a thousand angles.
on my back to guard my belly; on my wit for tricks; on my honor; my mask for looks; u guard all - i defend from 1000 places
Say one of your watches.
Name one of your watch posts.
Give me an example of one.
give me one example
Nay, I’ll watch you for that; and that’s one of the chiefest of them
too. If I cannot ward what I would not have hit, I can watch you for
telling how I took the blow; unless it swell past hiding, and then it’s
past watching.
No, I'll watch you carefully for that; and that's one of the most important ones too. If I can't block the blow I don't want to take, I can at least watch you to make sure you don't tell everyone how I got hit; unless the bruise swells so bad I can't hide it, and then there's no point in keeping watch.
No, I'll watch you carefully for that one—and that's definitely one of the most important. If I can't prevent the hit I don't want, I can at least make sure you don't blab about how I got it; unless the bruise gets so big I can't hide it, and then I'm done hiding it.
ill watch u for that lol thats important. cant prevent hits but can keep u quiet about it - unless bruise too big
You are such another!
You are impossible!
You're impossible!
ur impossible
Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
Sir, my lord needs to speak with you immediately.
Sir, my lord wants to talk to you right now.
lord needs u right now
Where?
Where?
where?
where?
At your own house; there he unarms him.
At your own house; he's taking off his armor there.
At your place; he's getting out of his armor there.
at ur house taking off armor
Good boy, tell him I come. [_Exit_ Boy.] I doubt he be hurt. Fare ye
well, good niece.
Good boy, tell him I'm coming. I suspect he's injured. Goodbye, good niece.
Hey boy, go tell him I'm on my way. I think he might be hurt. Take care, niece.
tell him im coming think he's hurt bye niece
Adieu, uncle.
Adieu, uncle.
adieu, uncle.
adieu, uncle.
I will be with you, niece, by and by.
I will be with you, niece, very soon.
I'll be back with you in just a minute, niece.
back soon
To bring, uncle.
To bring, uncle.
to bring, uncle.
to bring, uncle.
Ay, a token from Troilus.
Yes, a gift from Troilus.
Yeah, a present from Troilus.
gift from troilus
By the same token, you are a bawd.
Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love’s full sacrifice,
He offers in another’s enterprise;
But more in Troilus thousand-fold I see
Than in the glass of Pandar’s praise may be,
Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing:
Things won are done; joy’s soul lies in the doing.
That she belov’d knows naught that knows not this:
Men prize the thing ungain’d more than it is.
That she was never yet that ever knew
Love got so sweet as when desire did sue;
Therefore this maxim out of love I teach:
‘Achievement is command; ungain’d, beseech.’
Then though my heart’s content firm love doth bear,
Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.
By that same token, you're a procurer. Words, promises, gifts, tears, and complete love's sacrifice, he offers on someone else's behalf; but I see a thousand times more worth in Troilus than in the glass of Pandarus's praise could ever reflect. Yet I hold back. Women are angels when men are courting them: once they've won, the work is done; the joy lives in the pursuit. She who was loved knows nothing if she doesn't know this: men value what they can't get more than what they can. She was never yet the one who didn't know that love became sweetest when desire was the one doing the asking; therefore this wisdom I teach from love: achievement commands what you already have; but what you don't have begs for it. Then though my heart holds firm love steadfast, nothing of this shall show in my eyes.
By that same logic, you're a pimp. You offer words, promises, gifts, tears, and total love's sacrifice on behalf of someone else; but I see a thousand times more in Troilus than any praise from Pandarus could show. Still, I'm holding back. Women are angels when guys are chasing them: once the guy wins, the excitement dies; the real joy is in wanting something you can't have. Any woman who's loved knows this: men want what they can't get way more than what they can. No woman who ever fell in love didn't know that love is sweetest when the other person is desperate to have you. So here's what I learned about love: when you already have someone, you own them; when you don't have them, they're begging. Even though my heart truly loves, I won't let it show.
youre a pimp. he gives words gifts tears for someone else. but troilus is worth 1000x what pandarus says. im holding back. women r angels while being chased. joy is in the wanting. men want what they cant have. love is sweetest when theyre desperate for u. so i wont show anything
The Reckoning
This is Cressida's introduction — and she's far smarter than anyone around her gives credit for. She runs rings around Pandarus in every exchange, landing puns he doesn't catch and deflecting his matchmaking with elegant mockery. But her closing soliloquy drops the mask: she loves Troilus already. Her strategy isn't innocence — it's game theory. The scene leaves you unsettled: here is a woman who understands exactly how the world works, and what happens to women who show their hand.
If this happened today…
A woman's overbearing uncle keeps texting her about some guy at work who's 'perfect for you,' sending memes about the guy's gym stats and LinkedIn connections. She responds with one-word answers and eye-roll emojis, mocking every talking point. But when she's alone, she opens his Instagram and stares at it. She already knows she likes him. She also knows that once she likes him back officially, she loses the only power she has.