Chaucer\u27s Troilus and Shakespeare\u27s Troilus: A Comparison of Their Declines

Only in the last ten years have critics worked to establish a more than superficial link between Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde and Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida. Part of the problem in this area of study was that scholars had ignored textual evidence proving that Shakespeare’s main source was Chaucer’s great poem. Current source-studies, outlined in the opening pages of this thesis, validate comparative treatments of the two texts. This thesis steps beyond the issue of indebtedness into the realm of characterization, particularly the elements of Chaucer’s characterization of Troilus that Shakespeare chose to present to his Elizabethan audience and to incorporate into his own developing conception of tragedy. This thesis examines the downfalls of Chaucer’s Troilus and Shakespeare’s Troilus, both of which result not from a single weakness of character but from a series of interrelated flaws. Comparing the characters as they develop, the thesis focuses first on the consuming sensuality coupled with pride which causes them to neglect their responsibility to the kingdom. Next their faith in worldly goods is explored, a faith which tears at the Troiluses’ nobility, honor, judgment and sense of value. This exploration leads to a discussion of their attempt to find spiritual happiness and order by adhering to a religion based on sensual love. Both Chaucer’s Troilus and Shakespeare’s Troilus allow their higher reason, sapientia, to be dominated by their lower reason, scientia. Blindly they surrender their wills to Fortune, an act which leaves them powerless to retaliate when she turns her wheel. We see that the Troiluses lose their identities. The object of their desire is taken away, their religion crumbles, they are betrayed, and ultimately, nothing is left for them to embrace except death

Chaucer\u27s Troilus and Shakespeare\u27s Troilus: A Comparison of Their Declines

Only in the last ten years have critics worked to establish a more than superficial link between Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde and Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida. Part of the problem in this area of study was that scholars had ignored textual evidence proving that Shakespeare’s main source was Chaucer’s great poem. Current source-studies, outlined in the opening pages of this thesis, validate comparative treatments of the two texts. This thesis steps beyond the issue of indebtedness into the realm of characterization, particularly the elements of Chaucer’s characterization of Troilus that Shakespeare chose to present to his Elizabethan audience and to incorporate into his own developing conception of tragedy. This thesis examines the downfalls of Chaucer’s Troilus and Shakespeare’s Troilus, both of which result not from a single weakness of character but from a series of interrelated flaws. Comparing the characters as they develop, the thesis focuses first on the consuming sensuality coupled with pride which causes them to neglect their responsibility to the kingdom. Next their faith in worldly goods is explored, a faith which tears at the Troiluses’ nobility, honor, judgment and sense of value. This exploration leads to a discussion of their attempt to find spiritual happiness and order by adhering to a religion based on sensual love. Both Chaucer’s Troilus and Shakespeare’s Troilus allow their higher reason, sapientia, to be dominated by their lower reason, scientia. Blindly they surrender their wills to Fortune, an act which leaves them powerless to retaliate when she turns her wheel. We see that the Troiluses lose their identities. The object of their desire is taken away, their religion crumbles, they are betrayed, and ultimately, nothing is left for them to embrace except death

The Vehicle, Fall 1983

Vol. 25, No. 1 Table of Contents Amish BoyDevon Flesorpage 3 SyllogismJ. Maura Davispage 3 Ten SecondsD.L. Lewispage 4 The Cedar ChestBridget M. Howepage 4 A Christmas With CarolSteve Longpage 5 TeethMichelle Mitchellpage 7 An I-Love-You PoemD.L. Lewispage 8 The Dragon SlayerSusan Gradypage 8 A DefinitionAmy J. Eadespage 9 FingernailsSuzanne Hornpage 10 The Liar\u27s TableBrook Wilsonpage 10 Fifi\u27s Last PartySteve Longpage 12 Absence/PresenceSuzanne Hornpage 13 From the Rantings of a Mad Astronomy StudentAmy J. Eadespage 13 In the Name of the Father, the Son, and MachiavelliF. Link Rapierpage 15 Errant LoverBecky Lawsonpage 16 DaddyKevin Lylespage 16 GhostsGary Ervinpage 17 TangoF. Link Rapierpage 17 Grandma\u27s SlippersBecky Lawsonpage 18 EdgesAmy J. Eadespage 19 Having ChildrenDevon Flesorpage 20 Young Black GirlKevin Lylespage 21 CatSuzanne Hornpage 22 Breakfast for OneMichelle Mitchellpage 22 A Modest ProposalBrooke Sanfordpage 23 Post MortemF. Link Rapierpage 26 Who Said I Forgot?Lynne Krausepage 27 The Corner Booth at StuckeysMaggie Kennedypage 28 The First DayDavis Brydenpage 29 DownLynne Krausepage 30 Fairie RingDevon Flesorpage 31 The LaundrymatKathy Fordpage 32 Sunday in OctoberBridget M. Howepage 32 The Kitchen WindowMaggie Kennedypage 33 UntitledChristina Maire Vitekpage 34 8th Grade Field Trip to SpringfieldMichelle Mitchellpage 34 Children of the FortiesF. Link Rapierpage 35 one winter and i was eightGary Ervinpage 35 Don\u27t we all know?Thomas B. Waltrippage 36 The TravelerMaggie Kennedypage 36 The VisitKathy Fordpage 40 CubismMaggie Kennedypage 40https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1042/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Fall 1983

Vol. 25, No. 1 Table of Contents Amish BoyDevon Flesorpage 3 SyllogismJ. Maura Davispage 3 Ten SecondsD.L. Lewispage 4 The Cedar ChestBridget M. Howepage 4 A Christmas With CarolSteve Longpage 5 TeethMichelle Mitchellpage 7 An I-Love-You PoemD.L. Lewispage 8 The Dragon SlayerSusan Gradypage 8 A DefinitionAmy J. Eadespage 9 FingernailsSuzanne Hornpage 10 The Liar\u27s TableBrook Wilsonpage 10 Fifi\u27s Last PartySteve Longpage 12 Absence/PresenceSuzanne Hornpage 13 From the Rantings of a Mad Astronomy StudentAmy J. Eadespage 13 In the Name of the Father, the Son, and MachiavelliF. Link Rapierpage 15 Errant LoverBecky Lawsonpage 16 DaddyKevin Lylespage 16 GhostsGary Ervinpage 17 TangoF. Link Rapierpage 17 Grandma\u27s SlippersBecky Lawsonpage 18 EdgesAmy J. Eadespage 19 Having ChildrenDevon Flesorpage 20 Young Black GirlKevin Lylespage 21 CatSuzanne Hornpage 22 Breakfast for OneMichelle Mitchellpage 22 A Modest ProposalBrooke Sanfordpage 23 Post MortemF. Link Rapierpage 26 Who Said I Forgot?Lynne Krausepage 27 The Corner Booth at StuckeysMaggie Kennedypage 28 The First DayDavis Brydenpage 29 DownLynne Krausepage 30 Fairie RingDevon Flesorpage 31 The LaundrymatKathy Fordpage 32 Sunday in OctoberBridget M. Howepage 32 The Kitchen WindowMaggie Kennedypage 33 UntitledChristina Maire Vitekpage 34 8th Grade Field Trip to SpringfieldMichelle Mitchellpage 34 Children of the FortiesF. Link Rapierpage 35 one winter and i was eightGary Ervinpage 35 Don\u27t we all know?Thomas B. Waltrippage 36 The TravelerMaggie Kennedypage 36 The VisitKathy Fordpage 40 CubismMaggie Kennedypage 40https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1042/thumbnail.jp