Troilus and Cressida recognizing their imitated desire -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 05:44:41 01/28/08 Mon
Author: Betsy Peters
Subject: Troilus and Cressida recognizing their imitated desire

Like Pandarus, though the two lovers entertain the idea that they have come to love one another without the aid of Cressid�s uncle, they too come to realize that Pandarus has always mediated their love. After Pandarus both praises Troilus� perfection and exalts him above the whole of the touring Trojan army, Cressida fools herself that her sudden love for Troilus arises from herself: �But more in Troilus thousandfold I see / Than in the glass of Pandar�s praise may be� (1.2.275-6). But Shakespeare presents the reader with a chronological difficulty� before Pandarus� exhortation, Cressid maintained only thoughts of indifference towards the Trojan. Recognizing this, Troilus turns and attributes his love to Pandarus� mediation as he remarks, �I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar� (1.1.90). Again he acknowledges, �Ourself the merchant, and this sailing Pandar / our doubtful hope, our convoy and our bark� (1.1.99-100). When Troilus discusses his relationship with Cressid, he places Pandarus in the middle: �What Cressid is, what Pandar, and what we� (1.195). According to Troilus, without Pandarus, no �we� exists between Cressid and himself. The title page of the second �state� of the 1609 Quarto supports Troilus as it reads, �The Famous Historie of Troylus and Cresseid. Excellently expressing the beginning of thier loues, with the conceited wooing of Pandarus Prince of Licia.� According to this front leaf, Pandarus, not the lovers, plays the role of the wooer.

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