Troilus and Criseyde

Chaucer, Geoffrey (c.1343–1400), modernised by Kline, A. S. (contact-email)

A modernised translation of Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde, retaining as much of Chaucer’s diction and rhymes as possible. Written in Middle English and rime royale in the 1380s, Troilus and Criseyde reinterprets the tale of Troilus and Cressida set during the Trojan War. Adapted from Boccaccio’s Il Filostrato, the poem is a tragedy infused with humour. It portrays Troilus as a deserted lover and Criseyde as an unintentional betrayer. The work contributes to English literature’s Medieval Renaissance, melding classical themes with medieval sensibilities and English characterization. The character Pandarus, who deceives Criseyde, later reappears in literary figures like Shakespeare’s Iago and Iachimo. The modern version of the poem retains Chaucer’s rhyme and diction, eliminating archaic terms requiring explanatory notes.

Author Details

Geoffrey Chaucer was born c1343 in London to a prosperous family of wine-merchants. Through his father’s connections, he began his official duties as page to the Countess of Ulster, the wife of Lionel, second son to the king, Edward III. Chaucer subsequently served as courtier, diplomat and civil servant while also establishing his poetic reputation.

He appears to have travelled widely in Europe during his varied court career. He married Philippa de Roet, lady-in-waiting to the queen, and sister to Katherine Swynford, John of Gaunt’s third wife, and flourished under John of Gaunt’s patronage. His most prolific period of writing was during his time as comptroller of customs for the port of London, between 1374 and 1386, both “Troilus and Criseyde”, his finely constructed poem based on classical and Renaissance sources, and the early “Canterbury Tales”, his celebration of the English social landscape, dating from that time.

Chaucer is thought to have died in October 1400, not long after the overthrow of his royal patron Richard II and the accession of Henry IV, and he was buried in Westminster Abbey, in what has become known as Poet’s Corner, that being his right as a tenant of the Abbey Close. His son Thomas had a significant career at the court of successive kings, and as Speaker of the House of Commons.

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Kline, A. S.

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