Troilus and Cressida Study Guide

1. Why are the Greeks waging war with the Trojans?

• The Greeks are a warlike people
• Paris kidnapped the wife of King Menelaus
• There is a long-standing feud between the two countries
• None of the above

2. Why does Troilus "unarm" (refuse to fight) in the first scene?

• He thinks it is an unjust war
• He is too in love with Cressida to think about battle
• He is in love with Helen
• He is afraid the Greeks are too powerful

3. Who or what does Pandarus compare to cake in the first scene?

• The favor of the gods
• Victory over the Greeks
• Helen
• Cressida

4. What offense has Cressida's father committed?

• He forbade Cressida to see Troilus
• He defected to the Greek camp
• He called his daughter a fool
• He gave up his profession

5. Why does Troilus say "let Paris bleed" when Aeneas informs him that his brother has been hurt in battle?

• He thinks it will end the war
• He wants to marry Helen
• He doesn't get along with his brother
• He thinks it's fitting that Menelaus should hurt the man who cuckolded him

6. Who rivals Helen in beauty?

• Cassandra
• Andromache
• Queen Hecuba
• Cressida

7. Why is Hector angry at his nephew Ajax?

• He is fighting on the Greek side
• He lost an important battle
• He insulted Hector's wife
• He is the more powerful warrior

8. Why won't Cressida admit that she loves Troilus?

• She doesn't love Troilus
• She is promised to someone else
• She isn't sure of his intentions
• She is playing hard to get

9. What is Ulysses' opinion about why the Greeks haven't won the war yet?

• The Greek camp is too lazy and disordered
• The gods are against the Greeks
• The Greek side lacks sufficient manpower
• The Trojans are too strong to overtake

10. Who does Ulysses think is responsible for setting a poor example in the Greek camp?

• Agamemnon
• Nestor
• Achilles
• Diomedes