Original: O Agamemnon, let it not be so!
Modern: Oh Agamemnon, don’t let this happen!

Original: We’ll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes
Modern: We’ll treat as sacred every step that Ajax takes

Original: When they go from Achilles: shall the proud lord
Modern: When he leaves Achilles’s tent: should that arrogant man

Original: That bastes his arrogance with his own seam
Modern: Who feeds his pride with his own self-importance

Original: And never suffers matter of the world
Modern: And never allows any worldly concerns

Original: Enter his thoughts, save such as do revolve
Modern: To enter his mind, except for those thoughts that circle

Original: And ruminate himself, shall he be worshipp’d
Modern: And obsess about himself—should he be honored

Original: Of that we hold an idol more than he?
Modern: By someone we admire even more than Achilles?

Original: No, this thrice worthy and right valiant lord
Modern: No, this three-times-worthy and truly brave nobleman

Original: Must not so stale his palm, nobly acquired;
Modern: Must not cheapen his hard-won reputation;

Original: Nor, by my will, assubjugate his merit,
Modern: Nor, if I have any say, make his achievements seem lesser,

Original: As amply titled as Achilles is,
Modern: Even though Achilles has many great honors,

Original: By going to Achilles:
Modern: By going to visit Achilles:

Original: That were to enlard his fat already pride
Modern: That would be like adding more fat to his already huge pride

Original: And add more coals to Cancer when he burns
Modern: And adding more fuel to the summer heat when it’s already blazing

Original: With entertaining great Hyperion.
Modern: While hosting the powerful sun itself.

Original: This lord go to him! Jupiter forbid,
Modern: Have this lord go to him? God forbid,

Original: And say in thunder ‘Achilles go to him.’
Modern: And let heaven command loudly “Achilles, you go to him.”

Troilus and Cressida is set during the Trojan War and follows two interconnected storylines. The first centers on the tragic love affair between Troilus, a young Trojan prince, and Cressida, daughter of the Trojan priest Calchas who has defected to the Greeks. With the help of Cressida’s uncle Pandarus, the lovers are brought together and consummate their relationship, pledging eternal fidelity to one another.

Meanwhile, the Greek camp is plagued by dissension and a breakdown in military hierarchy. The war has dragged on for seven years with little progress. Agamemnon and Nestor struggle to maintain order while Achilles sulks in his tent, refusing to fight. The Greeks attempt to provoke Achilles by having Ajax challenge the Trojan hero Hector to single combat, but this strategy fails to rouse Achilles to action.

The two plots converge when the Greeks and Trojans arrange a prisoner exchange: Cressida is to be traded to the Greek camp in return for the Trojan commander Antenor. Despite their vows of love, Cressida is forced to leave Troy. Once in the Greek camp, she quickly becomes involved with the Greek warrior Diomedes. Troilus witnesses her apparent betrayal during a nighttime encounter and is devastated by her inconstancy.

The play concludes with renewed fighting between the two armies. Hector, despite ominous warnings, enters battle and is treacherously killed by Achilles and his Myrmidons. Troilus, consumed with grief and rage over both Cressida’s betrayal and Hector’s death, vows revenge against the Greeks. The play ends without resolution, as the war continues with both sides having suffered significant losses.