Troilus and Cressida

by William Shakespeare

"Troilus and Cressida" by William Shakespeare is a play probably written in 1602. Set during the Trojan War, it weaves two plots: Troilus's passionate love affair with Cressida, which shatters when she's sent to the Greek camp, and the Greek commanders' struggle to coax the proud Achilles back into battle against Hector. The tone shifts between bawdy comedy and tragic darkness, leaving audiences uncertain how to respond. Shakespeare labels it a problem play—a work that defies easy interpretation and continues to spark lively debate.