Troilus and Cressida Compared to Much Ado About Nothing Both by Shakespeare Term Paper

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Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing" is a witty comedy. It subscribes to all the conventions of a Shakespeare comedy, being witty in language and plot. It also ends well for all who deserve it, and badly for all those who do not. In "Cressida and Troilus" however, both the plot and theme seem somewhat dark for a comedy. However, this play has been classified as one of Shakespeare's comedies. It is doubtful however that it is one of his wittiest, or indeed in the same category as "Much Ado about Nothing." These two plays will then be compared in terms of character, plot, theme and dramatic structure in order to determine the similarities between the two.

Character

In both plays, three characters drive the main plot. In "Troilus and Cressida," the backdrop of the Trojan War divides the characters into the Trojans and the Greeks. Troilus and Cressida, the unfortunate lovers, are both from Troy. Troilus, the youngest son of King Priam, is hopelessly in love with Cressida, even to the point of blindness. While he can at times see his own faults, he is entirely blind to those of Cressida. Cressida is not at all worthy of Troilus' love. She has many lovers, and even after promising to remain true to Troilus appears to be unable to stop herself from breaking her vows. At the Greek camp, she enters a sexual relationship with the Greek, Diomedes. The third character driving the main action is Pandarus, Cressida's uncle. His role is to live through the often illicit trysts of others, as he is retired and can no longer himself enjoy a sensual lifestyle. For the purpose of the play he then acts as a go-between between Troilus and his niece.

Royalty and war also go hand-in-hand for the characters in "Much Ado about Nothing." Don Pedro is for example the Prince of Arragon, just returning from battle as the play opens.

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Claudio, one of the main characters, is one of the companions returning with him. Don Pedro plays the parallel role to that of Pandarus, as he helps Claudio and Hero with their connection. Claudio is a lord of Florence who falls in love with Hero. Hero is engaged to be married to Claudio. In contrast to Cressida, Hero keeps is always true to her promise. However, Don John and his companions are plotting to destroy her relationship with Claudio out of jealousy. In this way a parallel can be seen between the warring groups of characters in the two plays. The Trojans and Greeks are then paralleled by Don Pedro and his companions who are the victims of the plot by Don John and his team.

Plot

The plot of both plays revolves around the romantic relationships of the main characters. In "Troilus and Cressida" however, the plot and outcome are somewhat darker than in the mostly light-hearted "Much Ado about Nothing." Whereas there is the parallel of alleged sexual indiscretion for both Cressida and Hero, the former proves guilty, while the latter has been framed.

Both plays also feature a parallel love theme besides the relationships of the main characters. The parallel love theme with Troilus and Cressida's relationship is that of Helen and Paris. Helen in this play proves as sexually intense as Cressida. The same parallelism is found in the case of Claudio and Hero. Beatrice and Benedick share a pure and true love, even though both swear never to marry.

"Much Ado about Nothing" ends with joy, as Hero's name has been cleared. Those guilty of the plot against her and Claudio are duly punished, thus providing and ending that is fitting and traditional for a Shakespearean comedy. Troilus and Cressida's ending is not a happy one, as already known by an audience versed in the history….....

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