Ambiguity and Understanding of Chaucers Troilus and Criseyde Essays

Ambiguity and Understanding of Chaucers Troilus and Criseyde One of the aspects of Chaucers Troilus and Criseyde that seemed most confusing at first was the apparent ambiguity or complete lack of indigence that the author provides for the main characters. Chaucer provides little explanation for why his major characters act the way that they do when he does, his explanations are often ambiguous or contradictory. Pandarus is an elegant example of a character whose motives are ambiguous. The only motives clearly attributable to him based on the poems text seem to be the friendship and affection he and Troilus have for each other, which is supported by the narrators claim that Pandarus ... was desirous to serve his fulle frend. (Chaucer 1.1058-9) a voyeuristic instinct (which could be supported by pointing out that Pandarus seems to pose opportunities for Troilus and Criseyde to tryst, as much as possible, in his presence -- for instance, his presence for an unspecified length of ti me during the night Troilus and Criseyde spend in his guest room) and a press to vicariously fulfill, through his friend Troilus, those romantic desires which have been thwarted throughout life. This last (and perhaps most supportable) explanation is suggested by the constant identifications that Pandarus makes with Troilus, by verbalize myn avys anoon may helpen us and in asking Troilus if Fortune oure joie wold han overthrowe, and by his explanation that I ... nevere felte in my servyse / A frendly cheere or lokyng of an eye. (1.620, 4.385, 4.397-8) All of these motives for Chaucers Pandarus could be supported, but no(prenominal) seems clearly to be more plausible than any of the others. However, for these vaguely defined motives,... ...uld be portrayed as less happy he has lost Criseyde, has been denied strike back against her new lover, and is dead. It is hard to imagine a more forceful combination of facts with writing to make a point. As if to drive it home, Chaucers narr ator then refers to Jove, Apollo, ... vitiate as swich rascaille, or rabble. Subtleties of middle English can be confusing for a new reader and first, and entente is a word with subtle variations in meaning and a variety of connotations. Properly understood, though, it adds a great deal to an understanding of Chaucers Troilus. References Chaucer, Geoffrey. Troilus and Criseyde in The Riverside Chaucer. General Ed. Benson, Larry D. Boston Houghton Mifflin, 1987. Tatlock, John S.P., and Arthur G. Kennedy. A capital of New Hampshire to the Complete Work of Geoffrey Chaucer. Gloucester Peter Smith, 1963.