Troilus and Cressida

Roles

• Agamemnon - Adult (36-50), Senior (>50), Male

About this piece

Agamemnon addresses Greek kings and commanders

Summary

The prologue introduces us to the story. The play is about the Trojan War, the mythological war between Troy and several Greek kings led by Menelaus of Sparta. The war starts when Paris of Troy steals the beautiful Helen from Menelaus. In response, the Spartan king gathers 69 princes from several cities in Greece and attacks Troy in order to rescue Helen. The play starts in the middle of the war, that is 7 years after the war started. In the first two scenes we are introduced to the main characters in the Trojan side and Troilus' love for Cressida. In this scene we are in the Greek camp where Agamemnon, Menelaus' older brother and Greek general, is addressing several Greek princes and commanders. He is urging them not to be demoralized by the outcome of the war so far. Even if has been seven years and they still haven't defeated the Trojan army, they are fighting a great war. Greatness, he argues, comes from persistence and by overcoming difficult obstacles.

Tone

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