Troilus and Criseyde and the Book of the Duchess

Geoffrey Chaucer has successfully developed several themes which are seen throughout his works. Although the literary techniques that Chaucer uses are not his own, these themes which reoccur are in the one of a kind style which defines Chaucer's works.

In both Troilus and Criseyde and The Book of the Duchess, the characters of Troilus and the Black Knight go through heartache and sorrow because of a love they once had but both lost. Both characters are young and naive when it comes to matters of the heart and leave their fate in the hands of Cupid and Fortune.

Although the woman that Troilus loved did not die like the woman the Black Knight loved, she still broke his heart by not being true to him. Despite the fact that they lost their women in different ways, they are both still victims of love won and love lost.

Chaucer never speaks about his own experiences with love, but it is made evident in Troilus and Criseyde what his understanding of love really is: "Ek though I speeke of love unfelyngly, // No wondre is, for it nothyng of newe is" (T&C.II.19-20) He speaks of love as if it is nothing new.

Troilus is very inexperienced and immature when it comes to love. This is portrayed when he criticizes love and people who are in love in Book I, which is why Cupid put Troilus's love life in the hands of Fortune.

"I have herd told, pardieux, of youre lyvynge,

Ye lovres, and youre lewed observaunces,

And which a labour folk han in wynnynge

Of love, and in the kepyng which doutaunces;

And whan youre prey is lost, woo and penaunces.

O veray fooles, nyce and blynde be ye!

Ther nys nat oon kan war by other be"

(TC.I.197-203)

The Black Knight is also very naive when it comes to love and readily admits that he has a great deal to learn (BD.1091) When he tries to impress the woman he is in love with, he has a whole speech planned out but because he is so nervous, the only word he could get out is "mercy" (BD.1219). Ironically, Troilus had the same problem when speaking to Criseyde, and also muttered the words "Mercy, mercy," but then at least called her sweetheart (TC. III.98)

Through their heartache and love loss, both characters learn from their experiences with love. Chaucer brings both Cupid and Fortune into both works, being the reason for Troilus's and the Black Knight's reasons for gaining and losing love. The Black Knight blames Fortune for taking away his love but realizes that fate would have taken her away from him at some point anyways because everything happens for a reason. When Criseyde breaks her promise to Troilus and she is untrue to him, it also comes down to fate. Chaucer uses this theme to portray this inevitable fate that we will all face some day.

Neither Troilus nor the Black Knight believe they could have change the outcome of their relationships which is how Chaucer depicts these characters. While Troilus is one of the most courageous and strongest Trojans, he still does not stand up for the woman he supposedly loves. The Black Knight on the other hand is extremely courteous and feels as though he has been treated unfairly.

Chaucer brings up another common idea in both Troilus and Criseyde and The Book of the Duchess which is, in order to know what sadness feels like you must first know what happiness feels like. Chaucer makes use of this language of opposites when Panderus is giving Troilus advice about love:

"For how myghte evere swetnesse han ben

knowe

To him that nevere tasted bitternesse?

Ne no man may ben inly glad, I trowe,

That nevere was in sorwe or some destresse.