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 were those went by?
who were those went by?
who were those went by?
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.
Queen Hecuba and Helen.
queen hecuba and helen.
queen hecuba and helen.
And whither go they?
And whither go they?
and whither go they?
and whither go they?
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 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 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 commands as subject
What was his cause of anger?
What was his cause of anger?
what was his cause of anger?
what was his cause of anger?
The noise goes, this: there is among the Greeks
A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector;
They call him Ajax.
The noise goes, this: there is among the Greeks A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector; They call him Ajax.
the noise goes, this: there is among the greeks a lord of trojan blood, nephew to hector; they call him ajax.
the noise goes, this: there is among the greeks a lord of
Good; and what of him?
Good; and what of him?
good; and what of him?
good; and what of him?
They say he is a very man _per se_
And stands alone.
They say he is a very man _per se_ And stands alone.
they say he is a very man _per se_ and stands alone.
they say he is a very man _per se_ and 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 have no legs.
so do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or have no legs.
so do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or have no legs.
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 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 has so crowded humours that his valour is crush’d into folly, his folly sauced with discretion. There is no man has a virtue that he has 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 has 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 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 has so crowded humours that his valour is crush’d into folly, his folly sauced with discretion. there is no man has a virtue that he has 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 has 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 robb’d many beasts of their particular
But how should this man, that makes me smile, make Hector angry?
But how should this man, that makes me smile, make Hector angry?
but how should this man, that makes me smile, make hector angry?
but how should this man, that makes me smile, make hector
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 he yesterday cop’d Hector in the battle and struck him down, the disdain and shame whereof has ever since kept Hector fasting and waking.
they say he yesterday cop’d hector in the battle and struck him down, the disdain and shame whereof has ever since kept hector fasting and waking.
they say he yesterday cop’d hector in the battle and struck
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? What is it?
What? What'd you say?
what? what is it?
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 morrow, cousin Cressid. What do you talk of?—Good morrow, Alexander.—How do you, cousin? When were you at Ilium?
good morrow, cousin cressid. what do you talk of?—good morrow, alexander.—how do you, cousin? when were you at ilium?
good morrow, cousin cressid. what do you talk of?—
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 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 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 of when i came? was hector a
Hector was gone; but Helen was not up.
Hector was gone; but Helen was not up.
hector was gone; but helen was not up.
hector was gone; but helen was not up.
E’en so. Hector was stirring early.
E’en so. Hector was stirring early.
e’en so. hector was stirring early.
e’en so. hector was stirring early.
That were we talking of, and of his anger.
That were we talking of, and of his anger.
that were we talking of, and of his anger.
that were we talking of, and of his anger.
Was he angry?
Was he angry?
was he angry?
was he angry?
So he says here.
So he says here.
so he says here.
so he says here.
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.
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.
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.
true, he was so; i know the cause too; he’ll lay a
What, is he angry too?
What, is he angry too?
what, is he angry too?
what, is he angry too?
Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of the two.
Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of the two.
who, troilus? troilus is the better man of the two.
who, troilus? troilus is the better man of the two
O Jupiter! there’s no comparison.
O Jupiter! there’s no comparison.
o jupiter! there’s no comparison.
o jupiter! there’s no comparison.
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do you know a man if you see him?
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do you know a man if you see him?
what, not between troilus and hector? do you know a man if you see him?
what, not between troilus and hector? do you know
Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.
Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.
ay, if i ever saw him before and knew him.
ay, if i ever saw him before and knew him.
Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.
Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.
well, i say troilus is troilus.
well, i say troilus is troilus.
Then you say as I say, for I am sure he is not Hector.
Then you say as I say, for I am sure he is not Hector.
then you say as i say, for i am sure he is not hector.
then you say as i say, for i am sure he is not hec
No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.
No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.
no, nor hector is not troilus in some degrees.
no, nor hector is not troilus in some degrees.
’Tis just to each of them: he is himself.
’Tis just to each of them: he is himself.
’tis just to each of them: he is himself.
’tis just to each of them: he is himself.
Himself! Alas, poor Troilus! I would he were!
Himself! Alas, poor Troilus! I would he were!
himself! alas, poor troilus! i would he were!
himself! alas, poor troilus! i would he were!
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.
So he is.
So he is.
so he is.
so he is.
Condition I had gone barefoot to India.
Condition I had gone barefoot to India.
condition i had gone barefoot to india.
condition i had gone barefoot to india.
He is not Hector.
He is not Hector.
he is not hector.
he is 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. 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. 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. would a’ were himself! well,
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
excuse me.
excuse me.
He is elder.
He is elder.
he is elder.
he is elder.
Pardon me, pardon me.
Pardon me, pardon me.
pardon me, pardon me.
pardon me, pardon me.
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.
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.
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.
th’other’s not come to’t; you shall tell me another tale
He shall not need it if he have his own.
He shall not need it if he have his own.
he shall not need it if he have his own.
he shall not need it if he have his own.
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.
’Twould not become him: his own’s better.
’twould not become him: his own’s better.
’twould not become 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 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've 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've no judgement, niece. helen herself swore th’other
No, but brown.
No, but brown.
no, but brown.
no, but brown.
Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
To say the truth, true and not true.
To say the truth, true and not true.
to say the truth, true and not true.
to say the truth, true and not true.
She prais’d his complexion above Paris.
She prais’d his complexion above Paris.
she prais’d his complexion above paris.
she prais’d his complexion above paris.
Why, Paris hath colour enough.
Why, Paris has colour enough.
why, paris has colour enough.
why, paris has colour enough.
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. 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. 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. if she prais’d him
I swear to you I think Helen loves him better than Paris.
I swear to you I think Helen loves him better than Paris.
i swear to you i think helen loves him better than paris.
i swear to you i think helen loves him better than paris.
Then she’s a merry Greek indeed.
Then she’s a merry Greek indeed.
then she’s a merry greek indeed.
then she’s a merry greek indeed.
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—
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—
nay, i'm 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—
nay, i'm sure she does. she came to him th’other day into
Indeed a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring his particulars therein to
a total.
Indeed a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring his particulars therein to a total.
indeed a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring his particulars therein to a total.
indeed a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring his
Why, he is very young, and yet will he within three pound lift as much
as his brother Hector.
Why, he is very young, and yet will he within three pound lift as much as his brother Hector.
why, he is very young, and yet will he within three pound lift as much as his brother hector.
why, he is very young, and yet will he within three pound
Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
But to prove to you that Helen loves him: she came and puts me her
white hand to his cloven chin—
But to prove to you that Helen loves him: she came and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin—
but to prove to you that helen loves him: she came and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin—
but to prove to you that helen loves him: she came and puts
Juno have mercy! How came it cloven?
Juno have mercy! How came it cloven?
juno have mercy! how came it cloven?
juno have mercy! how came it cloven?
Why, you know, ’tis dimpled. I think his smiling becomes him better
than any man in all Phrygia.
Why, you know, ’tis dimpled. I think his smiling becomes him better than any man in all Phrygia.
why, you know, ’tis dimpled. i think his smiling becomes him better than any man in all phrygia.
why, you know, ’tis dimpled. i think his smiling becomes
O, he smiles valiantly!
O, he smiles valiantly!
o, he smiles valiantly!
o, he smiles valiantly!
Does he not?
Does he not?
does he not?
does he not?
O yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn!
O yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn!
o yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn!
o yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn!
Why, go to, then! But to prove to you that Helen loves Troilus—
Why, go to, then! But to prove to you that Helen loves Troilus—
why, go to, then! but to prove to you that helen loves troilus—
why, go to, then! but to prove to you that helen loves
Troilus will stand to the proof, if you’ll prove it so.
Troilus will stand to the proof, if you’ll prove it so.
troilus will stand to the proof, if you’ll prove it so.
troilus will stand to the proof, if you’ll prove it so.
Troilus! Why, he esteems her no more than I esteem an addle egg.
Troilus! Why, he esteems her no more than I esteem an addle egg.
troilus! why, he esteems her no more than i esteem an addle egg.
troilus! why, he esteems her no more than i esteem an addle
If you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head, you would
eat chickens i’ th’ shell.
If you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head, you would eat chickens i’ th’ shell.
if you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head, you would eat chickens i’ th’ shell.
if you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head,
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 cannot choose but laugh to think how she tickled his chin. Indeed, she has a marvell’s white hand, I must needs confess.
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 cannot choose but laugh to think how she tickled his
Without the rack.
Without the rack.
without the rack.
without the rack.
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.
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin.
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin.
and she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin.
and she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin.
Alas, poor chin! Many a wart is richer.
Alas, poor chin! Many a wart is richer.
alas, poor chin! many a wart is richer.
alas, poor chin! many a wart is richer.
But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba laugh’d that her eyes ran
o’er.
But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba laugh’d that her eyes ran o’er.
but there was such laughing! queen hecuba laugh’d that her eyes ran o’er.
but there was such laughing! queen hecuba laugh’d that her
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 temperate fire under the pot of her eyes. Did her eyes run o’er too?
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 temperate fire under the pot of her
And Hector laugh’d.
And Hector laugh’d.
and hector laugh’d.
and hector laugh’d.
At what was all this laughing?
At what was all this laughing?
at what was all this laughing?
at what was all this laughing?
Marry, at the white hair that Helen spied on Troilus’ chin.
Marry, at the white hair that Helen spied on Troilus’ chin.
marry, at the white hair that helen spied on troilus’ chin.
marry, at the white hair that helen spied on troilus’ chin.
And’t had been a green hair I should have laugh’d too.
And’t had been a green hair I should have laugh’d too.
and’t had been a green hair i should have laugh’d too.
and’t had been a green hair i should have laugh’d too.
They laugh’d not so much at the hair as at his pretty answer.
They laugh’d not so much at the hair as at his pretty answer.
they laugh’d not so much at the hair as at his pretty answer.
they laugh’d not so much at the hair as at his pretty
What was his answer?
What was his answer?
what was his answer?
what was his answer?
Quoth she ‘Here’s but two and fifty hairs on your chin, and one of them
is white.’
Quoth she ‘Here’s but two and fifty hairs on your chin, and one of them is white.’
quoth she ‘here’s but two and fifty hairs on your chin, and one of them is white.’
quoth she ‘here’s but two and fifty hairs on your chin, and
This is her question.
This is her question.
this is her question.
this is her question.
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 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 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 true; make no question of that. ‘two and fifty
So let it now; for it has been a great while going by.
So let it now; for it has been a great while going by.
so let it now; for it has been a great while going by.
so let it now; for it has been a great while going by.
Well, cousin, I told you a thing yesterday; think on’t.
Well, cousin, I told you a thing yesterday; think on’t.
well, cousin, i told you a thing yesterday; think on’t.
well, cousin, i told you a thing yesterday; think on’t.
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’ll be sworn ’tis true; he will weep you, and ’twere a man born in April.
i’ll be sworn ’tis true; he will weep you, and ’twere a man born in april.
i’ll be sworn ’tis true; he will weep you, and ’twere a man
And I’ll spring up in his tears, an ’twere a nettle against May.
And I’ll spring up in his tears, an ’twere a nettle against May.
and i’ll spring up in his tears, an ’twere a nettle against may.
and i’ll spring up in his tears, an ’twere a nettle against
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.
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.
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.
hark! they are coming from the field. shall we stand up
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, 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, 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, here’s an excellent place; here we may see most
Speak not so loud.
Speak not so loud.
speak not so loud.
speak not so loud.
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 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 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 not that a brave man? he’s one of the
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 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 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 shrewd wit, i can tell you; and
Will he give you the nod?
Will he give you the nod?
will he give you the nod?
will he give you the nod?
You shall see.
You shall see.
you shall see.
you shall see.
If he do, the rich shall have more.
If he do, the rich shall have more.
if he do, the rich shall have more.
if he do, the rich shall have more.
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, that, that, look you, that; there’s a fellow! Go your 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, that, that, look you, that; there’s a fellow! go your 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, that, that, look you, that; there’s a
O, a brave man!
O, a brave man!
o, a brave man!
o, a brave man!
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.
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.
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.
is a’ not? it does a man’s heart good. look you what hacks
Be those with swords?
Be those with swords?
be those with swords?
be those with 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! 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! 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! anything, he cares not; and the devil come to him,
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.
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 marvel where Troilus is. That’s Helenus. I think he went not forth today. That’s Helenus.
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 marvel where troilus is. that’s helenus.
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
can helenus fight, uncle?
can helenus fight, uncle?
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. 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. 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. yes, he’ll fight indifferent well. i marvel
What sneaking fellow comes yonder?
What sneaking fellow comes yonder?
what sneaking fellow comes yonder?
what sneaking fellow comes yonder?
Where? yonder? That’s Deiphobus. ’Tis Troilus. There’s a man, niece.
Hem! Brave Troilus, the prince of chivalry!
Where? yonder? That’s Deiphobus. ’Tis Troilus. There’s a man, niece. Hem! Brave Troilus, the prince of chivalry!
where? yonder? that’s deiphobus. ’tis troilus. there’s a man, niece. hem! brave troilus, the prince of chivalry!
where? yonder? that’s deiphobus. ’tis troilus. there’s a
Peace, for shame, peace!
Peace, for shame, peace!
peace, for shame, peace!
peace, for shame, peace!
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.
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 your way, Troilus, go your 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.
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 your way, troilus, go your 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.
mark him; note him. o brave troilus! look well upon 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.
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.
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.
asses, fools, dolts! chaff and bran, chaff and bran!
There is amongst the Greeks Achilles, a better man than Troilus.
There is amongst the Greeks Achilles, a better man than Troilus.
there is amongst the greeks achilles, a better man than troilus.
there is amongst the greeks achilles, a better man than
Achilles? A drayman, a porter, a very camel!
Achilles? A drayman, a porter, a very camel!
achilles? a drayman, a porter, a very camel!
achilles? a drayman, a porter, a very camel!
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?
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?
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?
well, well! why, have you any discretion? have you any
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.
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.
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.
ay, a minc’d man; and then to be bak’d with no date in the
You are such a woman! A man knows not at what ward you lie.
You are such a woman! A man knows not at what ward you lie.
you're such a woman! a man knows not at what ward you lie.
you're such a woman! a man knows not at what ward you lie.
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.
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.
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.
upon my back, to defend my belly; upon my wit, to defend my
Say one of your watches.
Say one of your watches.
say one of your watches.
say one of your watches.
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.
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.
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.
nay, i’ll watch you for that; and that’s one of the
You are such another!
You are such another!
you're such another!
you're such another!
Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
Where?
Where?
where?
where?
At your own house; there he unarms him.
At your own house; there he unarms him.
at your own house; there he unarms him.
at your own house; there he unarms him.
Good boy, tell him I come. [_Exit_ Boy.] I doubt he be hurt. Fare ye
well, good niece.
Good boy, tell him I come. [_Exit_ Boy.] I doubt he be hurt. Fare ye well, good niece.
good boy, tell him i come. [_exit_ boy.] i doubt he be hurt. fare ye well, good niece.
good boy, tell him i come. [_exit_ boy.] i doubt he be
Adieu, uncle.
Adieu, uncle.
adieu, uncle.
adieu, uncle.
I will be with you, niece, by and by.
I will be with you, niece, by and by.
i will be with you, niece, by and by.
i will be with you, niece, by and by.
To bring, uncle.
To bring, uncle.
to bring, uncle.
to bring, uncle.
Ay, a token from Troilus.
Ay, a token from Troilus.
ay, a token from troilus.
ay, a token 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 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 does bear, Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.
by the same token, you're 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 does bear, nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.
by the same token, you're a bawd. words, vows, gifts,
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.