aletolgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting this to be like Romeo and Juliet but it was very different. I loved Thersites. He was so sassy to everyone. I don't understand why they haven't killed him yet, though since he's actually so rude. And I'm laughing at how Pandarus was basically just a bridge for Troilus and Cressida but I really pitied him in the end.
strawberryvenus's review against another edition
2.0
i wish this damn site let me give half stars because this is more in the 2.5 range to me...... i just didnt vibe with this one! no serious issues and i completely recognize its merits, but it just felt a little dull to me is all
charlottesometimes's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
steven_nobody's review against another edition
1.0
Comedy, Tragedy, Confusing? Samuel Coleridge wrote, in 1811, “There is no one of Shakespeare’s plays harder to characterise.” Agreed. I have the biggest problems with this problem play.
This is Shakespeare’s Iliad fanfiction. In Homer, Achilles has given up fighting because of hurt feelings and sulks in his tent with his boyfriend, Petroclus. It is only when Patroclus is killed by the Trojan prince, Hector, that Achilles goes out and kills Hector. Shakespeare turns the story cynical. The Greeks assassinate Patroclus and tell Achilles it was Hector, and then Achilles uses his troops to pile on Hector and kill him.
The characters of Troilus and Cressida were not really much a part of the original story but developed in the Middle Ages. It’s a story about Troilus hooking up with Cressida with Pandar as a go-between. He’s her uncle and plays the pimp, which is why we have the verb “to pander” which means to pimp (not what I thought it meant because I thought it meant “to flatter” but silly me). When the lovers get separated, she adapts and vanishes from the stage, while he gets upset and runs around a lot in the battle neither distinguishing himself nor dying.
The first production after Shakespeare’s life wasn’t until 1898, so it was never a favorite of anyone.
I’m not sure if the vocabulary was easier if I would have enjoyed it better because it wasn’t all that interesting. Actually, the best thing about the RSC production was the beefcake even if looking at hard bodies does get boring after a while.
This is Shakespeare’s Iliad fanfiction. In Homer, Achilles has given up fighting because of hurt feelings and sulks in his tent with his boyfriend, Petroclus. It is only when Patroclus is killed by the Trojan prince, Hector, that Achilles goes out and kills Hector. Shakespeare turns the story cynical. The Greeks assassinate Patroclus and tell Achilles it was Hector, and then Achilles uses his troops to pile on Hector and kill him.
The characters of Troilus and Cressida were not really much a part of the original story but developed in the Middle Ages. It’s a story about Troilus hooking up with Cressida with Pandar as a go-between. He’s her uncle and plays the pimp, which is why we have the verb “to pander” which means to pimp (not what I thought it meant because I thought it meant “to flatter” but silly me). When the lovers get separated, she adapts and vanishes from the stage, while he gets upset and runs around a lot in the battle neither distinguishing himself nor dying.
The first production after Shakespeare’s life wasn’t until 1898, so it was never a favorite of anyone.
I’m not sure if the vocabulary was easier if I would have enjoyed it better because it wasn’t all that interesting. Actually, the best thing about the RSC production was the beefcake even if looking at hard bodies does get boring after a while.
stuff4bd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
3.0
Very different take on Trojan War than I’ve read elsewhere. Likely due to Trojan heritage in England (never knew).
maeclegg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
buzzcutduck's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The insults in this were magnificent. And some characters were very insistent on their bastardness. However it was very confusing and very boring at times. Only reason it's 4 stars is the insults and illegitimacy.
avgastright's review against another edition
3.0
It’s just SO different from Chaucer’s version. Chaucer wrote a real romance between two people (three, depending on who you ask lol), but this really functions as a play. It’s an ensemble production that explores appetite and folly rather than a romance. It kinda slays tho idk I think Murton is a hater.