Once again, this great expression of emotion is a huge gender role reversal. Women would traditionally be thought of as the highly expressive ones, not men. I think this avowal of emotions ties in nicely with the point Jay made in his substack post about Troilus fainting- it is unique, and draws attention to Troilus's unique character. These two substacks read nicely together, and complement the individual arguments you are each making. Troilus becomes a more and more unique character, and this is only the beginning- much more craziness still yet to come!
"Mercy, mercy"... you're right, men who knew Troilus in battle wouldn't recognize him here! I think Chaucer very intentionally selected Troilus' words to Criseyde, since Troilus would never plead for mercy on the battlefield. It helps to set up, like you pointed out, the double "battlefields" of war and love.
When I read about their first meeting, I made some notes about the way Troilus waxed neither quick nor dead, but only grew red. One thought is about the Biblical allusion that Jesus will return to judge the quick (or living) and the dead (from 2 Timothy and also the Apostles Creed). Why does Chaucer use that same language? Was it a popular turn of speech back then, or is there something more there? I really do not know.
But my initial reaction to Troilus seeing Criseyde, was that he isn't as dramatic as some other moments. He doesn't become very animated, and he doesn't faint as he does later (Jay's post on this was great!). He only blushes...and then proceeds with his customary dramatic-ness once he opens his mouth. I think I enjoy male characters who can express themselves but retain an air of mystery rather than hopeless naiveté.
You're right Troilus is strong in battle but weak when it comes to love. You're right again, "Love" can make a strong man weak. But is it love Troilus is feeling or is it lust for the "object" of his "gaze." We as men, we often confuse the two. I think Chaucer was pointing at how men are migrating animals like Pandarus told Troilus that there are other beautiful women left in the town. But, Chaucer steps back from the analogy that men are migrating animals and has Troilus snared by the lust of gaze, and imprisoned him in his mind.
This was a great take on the switched gender roles that are present in Troilus and Criseyde. Criseyde acts as the more experiences women, she is a widow and has more wisdom and knowledge on romance and love. Troilus, on the other hand, is indeed the naive and innocent character which is commonly seen portrayed through women. I think it is quite refreshing how these two characters are not the exact norm and stereotype that is so often seen in literature.
While I think this particular example of how Troilus acts when he finally meets Criseyde might be a bit over the top like some of the other things he does, I didn't necessarily find his reaction surprising, because I had the impression that it's common for some guys to suddenly freeze when faced with their crush. But I can see how readers might not assume Troilus was this type of guy based on how he carries himself in other areas of his life, such as the battlefield.
While I didn't love the circumstances leading up to Troilus and Criseyde's meeting (Pandarus's suicide threat), I did enjoy reading Troilus's reaction. It is an incredibly emotional reaction, and I agree that this level of expression from a male character is refreshing to read! The idea of a strong, noble warrior being an emotional wreck just being in the presence of his love interest is also something I couldn't help but giggle at while reading. I'm a sucker for reading stories with emotionally vulnerable male characters anyway (though I did have a love for brooding male characters as a teenager- Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice being the first examples I can think of at the moment), so Troilus's dramatic reaction was a welcome surprise. I think the contrast between Pandarus's portrayal of Troilus and Troilus's state while meeting Criseyde is a brilliant (and, yes, VERY dramatic) way to portray how the love he feels is changing him as a character.
I, too, enjoyed Troilus and Criseyde's in person meet. There was a lot that Chaucer (and Pandarus) had been working to build up to this point, and I think the reaction that we are given from Troilus does not disappoint. I think the way Love has dramatically reshaped his personality to its core is also something that I sincerely appreciate.
If we consider the way Troilus is portrayed to us (I am thinking specifically of the carefully constructed–and decorated–portrait Pandarus gives to Criseyde in Book 2 to sell the suitor), the sharp contrast to his romantic portrayal is further enhanced, and we can really recognize the way Troilus is "remade" through this love he has for her.
Once again, this great expression of emotion is a huge gender role reversal. Women would traditionally be thought of as the highly expressive ones, not men. I think this avowal of emotions ties in nicely with the point Jay made in his substack post about Troilus fainting- it is unique, and draws attention to Troilus's unique character. These two substacks read nicely together, and complement the individual arguments you are each making. Troilus becomes a more and more unique character, and this is only the beginning- much more craziness still yet to come!
"Mercy, mercy"... you're right, men who knew Troilus in battle wouldn't recognize him here! I think Chaucer very intentionally selected Troilus' words to Criseyde, since Troilus would never plead for mercy on the battlefield. It helps to set up, like you pointed out, the double "battlefields" of war and love.
When I read about their first meeting, I made some notes about the way Troilus waxed neither quick nor dead, but only grew red. One thought is about the Biblical allusion that Jesus will return to judge the quick (or living) and the dead (from 2 Timothy and also the Apostles Creed). Why does Chaucer use that same language? Was it a popular turn of speech back then, or is there something more there? I really do not know.
But my initial reaction to Troilus seeing Criseyde, was that he isn't as dramatic as some other moments. He doesn't become very animated, and he doesn't faint as he does later (Jay's post on this was great!). He only blushes...and then proceeds with his customary dramatic-ness once he opens his mouth. I think I enjoy male characters who can express themselves but retain an air of mystery rather than hopeless naiveté.
You're right Troilus is strong in battle but weak when it comes to love. You're right again, "Love" can make a strong man weak. But is it love Troilus is feeling or is it lust for the "object" of his "gaze." We as men, we often confuse the two. I think Chaucer was pointing at how men are migrating animals like Pandarus told Troilus that there are other beautiful women left in the town. But, Chaucer steps back from the analogy that men are migrating animals and has Troilus snared by the lust of gaze, and imprisoned him in his mind.
This was a great take on the switched gender roles that are present in Troilus and Criseyde. Criseyde acts as the more experiences women, she is a widow and has more wisdom and knowledge on romance and love. Troilus, on the other hand, is indeed the naive and innocent character which is commonly seen portrayed through women. I think it is quite refreshing how these two characters are not the exact norm and stereotype that is so often seen in literature.
While I think this particular example of how Troilus acts when he finally meets Criseyde might be a bit over the top like some of the other things he does, I didn't necessarily find his reaction surprising, because I had the impression that it's common for some guys to suddenly freeze when faced with their crush. But I can see how readers might not assume Troilus was this type of guy based on how he carries himself in other areas of his life, such as the battlefield.
While I didn't love the circumstances leading up to Troilus and Criseyde's meeting (Pandarus's suicide threat), I did enjoy reading Troilus's reaction. It is an incredibly emotional reaction, and I agree that this level of expression from a male character is refreshing to read! The idea of a strong, noble warrior being an emotional wreck just being in the presence of his love interest is also something I couldn't help but giggle at while reading. I'm a sucker for reading stories with emotionally vulnerable male characters anyway (though I did have a love for brooding male characters as a teenager- Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice being the first examples I can think of at the moment), so Troilus's dramatic reaction was a welcome surprise. I think the contrast between Pandarus's portrayal of Troilus and Troilus's state while meeting Criseyde is a brilliant (and, yes, VERY dramatic) way to portray how the love he feels is changing him as a character.
I, too, enjoyed Troilus and Criseyde's in person meet. There was a lot that Chaucer (and Pandarus) had been working to build up to this point, and I think the reaction that we are given from Troilus does not disappoint. I think the way Love has dramatically reshaped his personality to its core is also something that I sincerely appreciate.
If we consider the way Troilus is portrayed to us (I am thinking specifically of the carefully constructed–and decorated–portrait Pandarus gives to Criseyde in Book 2 to sell the suitor), the sharp contrast to his romantic portrayal is further enhanced, and we can really recognize the way Troilus is "remade" through this love he has for her.
Thank you, Delaney :3