Chaucer's medieval rendition of Troilus and Criseyde can be seen as a romantic tragedy because the story chronicles the fateful (and ultimately tragic) relationship between the two lovers. In an ironic twist, Troilus, a young Trojan warrior, denounces love, yet after the God of Love shoots him, he falls in love with Criseyde, a beautiful Greek widow. And, although Criseyde mirrors Troilus's affection, she betrays him by choosing a Greek man, Diomede. Troilus is naturally...
Chaucer's medieval rendition of Troilus and Criseyde can be seen as a romantic tragedy because the story chronicles the fateful (and ultimately tragic) relationship between the two lovers. In an ironic twist, Troilus, a young Trojan warrior, denounces love, yet after the God of Love shoots him, he falls in love with Criseyde, a beautiful Greek widow. And, although Criseyde mirrors Troilus's affection, she betrays him by choosing a Greek man, Diomede. Troilus is naturally brokenhearted, and in another ironic twist, he dies while fighting the Greeks. After his death, Troilus is released to the eighth sphere where he contemplates the pointlessness of love and war.
Based purely on its plot, Chaucer's version appears as tragic. However, what contributes to the story's tragic nature even more so is the medieval idea of fortune as a marker of pre-destined events. Put plainly, Troilus was forced to learn a difficult lesson on account of something he had no control over -- Criseyde's untimely betrayal. His fate (or fortune), in a sense, was already determined. And while he died tragically, he was able to reflect upon the futility of love and war after death.
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