Conclusion

Abstract

Only twice in his career does Shakespeare seriously contemplate a world without marriage. In Troilus and Cressida, the marital relationship has, in effect, ceased to have a present meaning. As in the Chaucerian original, Troilus never once contemplates preventing Cressida’s exchange by marrying her, and indeed the entire question of any marriage between them is simply never raised. The play is, in this respect, the polar opposite of Romeo and Juliet, as Troilus introduces his suit with the simple assumption that ‘I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar’.¹ Though Cressida is well aware of the possibility of extra-marital pregnancy (I.II.272–5, III.2.104–5), she does not seem unduly disturbed by it, and the lack even of any betrothal between them is sharply pointed up by the alternative quasi-legal formulation of Pandarus’ mock-blessing, ‘Here’s “In witness whereof the parties interchangeably”’ (111.II.58 — a point that is not likely to have been wasted on the play’s original audience of lawyers).