Troilus and Cressida Character Analysis

Troilus

Troilus is the youngest son of Priam and Hecuba, the rulers of Troy, and the brother of Hector, Paris, Helenus, Deiphobus, Cassandra, and Polyxena. Barely out of his… read analysis of Troilus

Cressida

Cressida is a Trojan woman. The daughter of the traitorous Calchas, she remains in the city—under the protection of her uncle, Pandarus—after Calchas flees to the Greek camp. Although she is initially (and… read analysis of Cressida

Diomedes

Diomedes is a Greek warrior. Evidently a friend of Calchas, he is the emissary the Greeks choose to convey their prisoner Antenor back to Troy and to fetch Cressida hence. Immediately taken with Cressida’s… read analysis of Diomedes

Hector

Hector is the eldest son of Priam and Hecuba, the rulers of Troy. He is the city’s most capable warrior. Hector is the brother of Paris, Helenus, Deiphobus, Troilus, Cassandra… read analysis of Hector

Achilles

Achilles is the strongest warrior on the Greek side of the Trojan War, although when the play opens, he is refusing to fight. The play depicts him as selfish, disobedient, recalcitrant, and offensive. He is… read analysis of Achilles

Pandarus

Pandarus is Cressida’s uncle and Troilus’s friend. This position allows him to play the role of procurer or go-between when Troilus falls in love with Cressida. Pandarus represents lechery in the play. He… read analysis of Pandarus

Thersites

Thersites is a common Greek soldier. He’s a bitter, angry man who considers Helen a prostitute, Menelaus an embarrassing cuckold, and the entire Greek army a band of fools for fighting over soiled goods. He… read analysis of Thersites

Ajax

Ajax is a Greek warrior and a cousin to the Trojan royal family through his mother. Monumentally strong and powerful, the play depicts him as prideful and slow-witted, easily manipulated by the cleaver and conniving… read analysis of Ajax

Paris

Paris is a Trojan prince, the son of Priam and Hecuba, and the brother of Hector, Helenus, Deiphobus, Troilus, Cassandra, and Polyxena. He’s also Helen’s lover and… read analysis of Paris

Aeneas

Aeneas is the Trojan lord and warrior who is entrusted with conveying Diomedes through Troy when the Greek warrior comes to return Antenor. The play depicts Aeneas as a noble and courteous man, quick… read analysis of Aeneas

Ulysses

Ulysses is the King of Ithaca and one of the Greek generals. Wily and manipulative, Ulysses presents himself as deeply concerned about order and hierarchy. He is horrified at the way Achilles and Patroclus defy… read analysis of Ulysses

Agamemnon

Agamemnon is the brother of Menelaus and the general of the Greek forces. Despite this honor, the play depicts him as unusually inactive. He’s unable to command the loyalty and respect of Achilles and Patroclus… read analysis of Agamemnon

Menelaus

Menelaus is a Greek king. He’s the brother of Agamemnon and the husband of Helen. The play depicts him as a weak and impotent man who is frequently the butt of other’s jokes. Other… read analysis of Menelaus

Cassandra

Cassandra is a Trojan princess, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba, and the sister of Hector, Paris, Helenus, Deiphobus, Troilus, and Polyxena. A prophet doomed not to be… read analysis of Cassandra

Priam

Priam is the king of Troy, the husband of Hecuba, and the father of Hector, Paris, Helenus, Deiphobus, Troilus, Cassandra, and Polyxena. He presides over a war… read analysis of Priam

Helenus

Helenus is a Trojan prince, the son of Priam and Hecuba, and the brother of Hector, Paris, Deiphobus, Troilus, Cassandra, and Polyxena. A priest of some sort (and… read analysis of Helenus

Helen

Helen is the wife of Greek king Menelaus and the lover of Trojan prince Paris. Her abduction by her lover incited the Trojan War. She appears to be comfortable in the Trojan court, although… read analysis of Helen

Minor Characters

Nestor

Nestor is a Greek general. Now far too old for fighting, Nestor is meant to be a grand orator, but the play depicts him as long-winded. He talks at length about what’s necessary for the Greek forces to win, but his speeches bring about little meaningful change.

Patroclus

The Greek warrior Patroclus is Achilles’s friend and lover. Along with Achilles (and occasionally Thersites) he likes to mock and complain about the Greek generals, and he, too, refuses to fight. His death at the hands of the Trojans eventually draws Achilles back into the war.

Calchas

Calchas is a Trojan priest and defector to the Greek side of the conflict. He is also the father of Cressida, and it’s his successful application to Agamemnon to trade her for Antenor that leads to her separation from Troilus.

Andromache

Andromache is the wife of Hector. Fearful of his life after prophetic dreams, she tries (along with her sister-in-law Cassandra and father-in-law Priam) to dissuade him from going to face Achilles, but to no avail.

Prologue

The prologue is an unnamed soldier whose opening soliloquy sets the stage for the play.

Hecuba

Hecuba is the Trojan queen, the wife of Priam, and the mother of Hector, Paris, Helenus, Deiphobus, Troilus, Cassandra, and Polyxena.

Antenor

Antenor is a Trojan noble, warrior, and strategist who is captured by the Greeks and subsequently traded for Cressida.

Polyxena

Polyxena is a Trojan princess, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba, and the sister of Hector, Paris, Helenus, Deiphobus, Troilus, and Cassandra. She is also, apparently, a love interest of Achilles and his supposed reason for dropping out of the war.

Bastard

The bastard is a Trojan warrior and the son of King Priam and an unidentified woman. He confronts Thersites on the battlefield.

Alexander

Alexander is Cressida’s servant.

Deiphobus

Deiphobus is a Trojan prince, the son of Priam and Hecuba, and the brother of Hector, Paris, Helenus, Troilus, Cassandra, and Polyxena.

Troilus and Cressida Characters