Dramatisation of Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde.

One of the great works of English literature, this powerful, compelling story explores love from its first tentative beginnings through to passionate sensuality and eventual tragic disillusionment.

Lavinia Greenlaw's new version for radio brings Chaucer's language up-to-date for a modern audience while remaining true to his original poetic intention.


EpisodeFirst
Broadcast		RepeatedDescription
012009042620090502After seeing the beautiful widow Criseyde at the temple in Troy, Troilus falls instantly in love with her.
Inexperienced in love, he is unable to act on his feelings and locks himself in his room to compose love songs.
Pandarus, worried for his friend, eventually persuades Troilus to tell him why he is so miserable and is delighted to hear that the cause is Troilus' love for his niece Criseyde.
Worried about her reputation, Criseyde is at first reluctant to enter into a relationship with Troilus.
After much cajoling and manipulation, she reluctantly comes around to the idea.
Pandarus is frustrated that the relationship is moving too slowly and engineers a complex plan to get Criseyde and Troilus in bed together.
02 LAST2009050320090509Criseyde's Uncle Pandarus has been the matchmaker for the Trojan hero Troilus and young widow Criseyde, who are desperately in love.
But what will happen when Criseyde is handed over to the Greeks at the gates of Troy to join her 'traitor' father?
Troilus....Tom FergusonCriseyde....Maxine PeakePandarus....Malcolm RaeburnServant/Friend....Kathryn HuntCalchas/Servant....Kevin Doyle
Priam/Servant....Terence MannHector/Diomede....Declan WilsonWith music composed by Gary Yershon and performed by Ehsan Emam, Tim Williams and Mike Dale.
Directed by Susan Roberts.
With the Trojans suffering heaving losses in battle, the lovers' bliss is short lived.

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