Troilus and Cressida

A detailed Summary of Troilus and Cressida

The Bell Shakespeare Company's play Troilus+Cressida - Directed by Michael Bogdanov is an example of the many 're-skinned' Shakespearean plays that emerge out of obscurity to challenge social mores in modern society. Troilus+Cressida, based in the 10 year "war for a whore" (Helen - played by Helen Thompson) between the citizens of Troy and the Greeks, encompasses two contrasting notions of Love and War. These combine to create a world that does away with and is displaced from a normal world.

Remarkably, this world of rampant voyeurism and unashamed decadence resembles that of our own. This sensation of deja vu is summed up when you realise what Bogdanov is trying to do. The use of camcorders by the characters - which are hooked to a bank of Televisions so that the audience can clearly 'perve' on intimate private moments, is a deliberate aim at society's infatuation with 'reality' TV. Even the Fight scene between Ajax and Hector conjure up images of tacky WWF-eskque programs that have a disturbingly popular following. Bogdanov achieves a sense of parody and satire at the emotionally comfortable distancing this has on society. The lack of commitment exists not only in the world of Troilus+Cressida but in our world as well. That

is to say, desensitising has and is occurring en masse, as the world becomes adapted to the horrors of the world - including war.

However, in spite of these very provocative ideas, Troilus+Cressida still leaves some things to be desired, like the many flat, almost embarrassing scenes the play goes through. One example is the main war scene, which seems a remarkably docile and complex event, instead of exploding with vehement and black male rage of war.

Cressida's change in self also comes from a sudden change in her life that forced her to revaluate her position in her world, and adjust for survival by attaching herself to a protector in return for the only thing she knows how to do.

Whilst these events unfolded, Achilles, who retires from war for reasons of pride, is spurred by his lover's - Patroclus' (Derren Nesbitt) death, and goes on into battle and finds a unarmed and resting Hector, whom he unleashes his wrath by ordering his men to kill him. Hector then has his body dragged around on Achilles chariot. This sudden change in Achilles is a result of sudden dramatic change in his life beyond his control. This led to him undermining his own pride and filling Hector in such a cowardly way.

However, Cressida's 'alliance' to Diamedes is seen by Troilus - with the aid of a camera and Ulysses, and his enraged at her betrayal. It is ironic, however, that it was he who did not resist her loss, and yet he is enraged at her.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Troilus Cressida, Cressida Cressida, Derren Nesbitt, Ajax Hector, Love War, Diamedes Cressida's, Michael Bogdanov, Whilst Troilus, Homosexual Couch, Legends Troy, patriarchal world, love war, sudden change, change life, view cressida,

Approximate Word count = 967
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English