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 1981

Vol. 23, No. 1 Table of Contents Maples At My HomeGary Ervinpage 4 I Remember (after Anne Sexton)Susan Mehlpage 5 Where Do They Put Their ArmsKathleen Alakspage 6 Sweet AdversityAlissa Finleypage 7 Love At Baskin-RobbinsCindy Fritzpage 9 What IfJohn Stockmanpage 10 Shaking HandsScott Fishelpage 12 The SouvenirKathleen Alakspage 13 Kelowna City Park At NightJerry McAnultypage 14 Canadian EuphoriaB.L. Davidsonpage 14 Water PaintingIsabel M. Parrotpage 15 Clearwater BeachSusan Mehlpage 16 SeaprintsJerry McAnultypage 17 Elegy For An Illinois TownJohn Stockmanpage 17 DepreciatingLaura Sharppage 18 U.S. Steel South WorksDiane Bartuspage 19 Blue BeadsB.L. Davidsonpage 20 Top HatVicki Ewingpage 21 29 Cent PoemSusan Mehlpage 24 Morning In OctoberCindy Fritzpage 26 PrerequisiteDevon Flesorpage 26 InvalidLynn Sronkoskipage 27 Nushagak Bay HarvestB.L. Davidsonpage 28 August, 1967Cathy Georgepage 29 The ParkSusan Burkpage 30 Summer of \u2778: With LoveDonna L. Lewispage 32 RhubarbScott Fishelpage 33 I\u27ll get it... Cathy Georgepage 34 The Night PeopleLenore Howardpage 35 Falling AsleepKaren Smithpage 38 Getting Life Off Your ShouldersStacey Flanniganpage 38 Thirst, and the anticipation of a week\u27s vacation in late summerCathy Georgepage 39 Art Cover Michelle Howe Pen and Ink DrawingIrene Brownpage 3 PhotographGregory A. Molchanpage 11 PhotographRuth Zurerzyckipage 15 PhotographGregory A. Molchanpage 25 Pen and Ink DrawingChristi Fullerpage 31 Pen and Ink DrawingChristi Fullerpage 40https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1038/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Fall 1981

Vol. 23, No. 1 Table of Contents Maples At My HomeGary Ervinpage 4 I Remember (after Anne Sexton)Susan Mehlpage 5 Where Do They Put Their ArmsKathleen Alakspage 6 Sweet AdversityAlissa Finleypage 7 Love At Baskin-RobbinsCindy Fritzpage 9 What IfJohn Stockmanpage 10 Shaking HandsScott Fishelpage 12 The SouvenirKathleen Alakspage 13 Kelowna City Park At NightJerry McAnultypage 14 Canadian EuphoriaB.L. Davidsonpage 14 Water PaintingIsabel M. Parrotpage 15 Clearwater BeachSusan Mehlpage 16 SeaprintsJerry McAnultypage 17 Elegy For An Illinois TownJohn Stockmanpage 17 DepreciatingLaura Sharppage 18 U.S. Steel South WorksDiane Bartuspage 19 Blue BeadsB.L. Davidsonpage 20 Top HatVicki Ewingpage 21 29 Cent PoemSusan Mehlpage 24 Morning In OctoberCindy Fritzpage 26 PrerequisiteDevon Flesorpage 26 InvalidLynn Sronkoskipage 27 Nushagak Bay HarvestB.L. Davidsonpage 28 August, 1967Cathy Georgepage 29 The ParkSusan Burkpage 30 Summer of \u2778: With LoveDonna L. Lewispage 32 RhubarbScott Fishelpage 33 I\u27ll get it... Cathy Georgepage 34 The Night PeopleLenore Howardpage 35 Falling AsleepKaren Smithpage 38 Getting Life Off Your ShouldersStacey Flanniganpage 38 Thirst, and the anticipation of a week\u27s vacation in late summerCathy Georgepage 39 Art Cover Michelle Howe Pen and Ink DrawingIrene Brownpage 3 PhotographGregory A. Molchanpage 11 PhotographRuth Zurerzyckipage 15 PhotographGregory A. Molchanpage 25 Pen and Ink DrawingChristi Fullerpage 31 Pen and Ink DrawingChristi Fullerpage 40https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1038/thumbnail.jp