Troilus and Cressida Love Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)

Quote #4

Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing: Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing. That she beloved knows nought that knows not this: Men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is: (1.2.286-289)

Why buy the cow if the milk is free, right? Well, Shakespeare may have gussied that sentiment up, but he's basically saying the same thing here. Cressida tells us that she's been playing hard to get with Troilus because she's afraid he won't value her as much once he sleeps with her. So—deceptive whore, or smart and savvy lady who's playing by the rules her society dictated to her? You decide.

Quote #5

After this, the vengeance on the whole camp! or rather, the Neapoli- tan bone-ache! for that methinks, is the curse depend ing on those that war for a placket. (2.3.17-20)

References to syphilis really undermine the idea of love, twue love. Here, Thersites says he hopes that the whole army gets the "Neapolitan bone-ache" (a.k.a. syphilis) because they've agreed to fight over a "placket" (a crude term for a woman). At the same time, Thersites also manages to remind us that he thinks Paris's relationship with Helen is based purely on sexual desire, not love.

Quote #6

I am giddy; expectation whirls me round. The imaginary relish is so sweet That it enchants my sense: what will it be, When that the watery palate tastes indeed Love's thrice repured nectar? (3.2.18-22)

As Troilus waits for Pandarus to bring him and Cressida together, he tells us he's so excited about finally hooking up with Cressida that he's salivating just thinking about what it's going to be like to finally "taste" her sweet "nectar." This isn't the first time Troilus's desire is linked to food. Earlier in the play, Pandarus compared his pursuit of Cressida to baking a "cake" (1.1.15). In other words, Troilus' love may be nothing more than sexual appetite. Check out "Symbols" for more on this.