Troilus and Cressida

Shakespeare Read A Long for June/July

Up next to read for my Shakespeare Read A Long. Troilus, the youngest son of Trojan king Priam, is in love with Cressida, the niece of Pandarus, through whom he is hoping to arrange a meeting. While Cressida watches the nobles and soldiers pass by, Pandarus draws her attention to Troilus, and she is attracted to him.

This Shakespeare is a new read for me. I look forward to adding to my knowledge more of his works.

Her bed is India: there she lies, a pearl.
(Troilus, Act 1 Scene 1)

Alexander: They say he is a very man per se, and stands alone.
Cressida: So do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or have no legs. 
(Act 1 Scene 2)

Things won are done, joy’s soul lies in the doing. 
That she beloved knows nought that knows nought this: 
Men prize the thing ungained more than it is.
(Cressida, Act 1 Scene 2)

They say all lovers swear more performance than they are able.
(Cressida, Act 3 Scene 2)

Time, force and death, 
Do to this body what extremity you can; 
But the strong base and building of my love 
Is as the very centre of the earth, 
Drawing all things to it. 
(Cressida, Act 4 Scene 2)

There’s language in her eye, her cheek, her lip;
Nay, her foot speaks, her wanton spirits look out
At every joint and motive of her body.