We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(7) Snow Line
Nobody ever accused a Shakespeare play of being "easy." Here's a breakdown of the issues in Troilus and Cressida that students tend to have a tough time with. Don't worry, Shmoopers, you can handle it.
Lots of fancy, philosophical speeches about stuff like love, war, and sex: No doubt about it. This is one chatty play. Hello, that's why we analyze boatloads of quotes in our "Themes" section. See you there.
Nasty and Bitter Tone: One of the hardest things to swallow is that this one of the nastiest and bitterest pieces of literature we've ever read. Go to "Tone" and we'll tell you all about the play's bad attitude.
Two plots seem a little unconnected until the end: Yep. There are two major story lines (the "Love" plot and the "War" plot). And, sometimes they do seem a little unconnected until the end. That's why we break them down side by side in our "Classic Plot Analysis" and "Three Act Plot Analysis." (See? We've got a solution for just about everything.)