Original: You understand me not that tell me so:
Modern: You don’t understand me if that’s what you think I’m saying:

Original: I do not speak of flight, of fear, of death,
Modern: I’m not talking about running away, being afraid, or dying,

Original: But dare all imminence that gods and men
Modern: But I’m willing to face any immediate danger that both gods and men

Original: Address their dangers in. Hector is gone:
Modern: Can throw at me. Hector is dead:

Original: Who shall tell Priam so, or Hecuba?
Modern: Who’s going to tell his father Priam, or his mother Hecuba?

Original: Let him that will a screech-owl aye be call’d,
Modern: Let whoever does it be forever called a screech-owl—a bird of bad news,

Original: Go in to Troy, and say there, Hector’s dead:
Modern: Go into Troy and announce there that Hector is dead:

Original: There is a word will Priam turn to stone;
Modern: That news will turn Priam into stone;

Original: Make wells and Niobes of the maids and wives,
Modern: It will make the young women and wives weep endlessly like fountains and like Niobe,

Original: Cold statues of the youth, and, in a word,
Modern: Turn the young men into frozen statues, and in short,

Original: Scare Troy out of itself. But, march away:
Modern: Terrify Troy so badly it’s no longer itself. But let’s march away:

Original: Hector is dead; there is no more to say.
Modern: Hector is dead; there’s nothing more that needs to be said.

Original: Stay yet. You vile abominable tents,
Modern: Wait a moment. You disgusting, hateful tents,

Original: Thus proudly pight upon our Phrygian plains,
Modern: Set up so arrogantly here on our Trojan fields,

Original: Let Titan rise as early as he dare,
Modern: Let the sun rise as early as it wants tomorrow,

Original: I’ll through and through you! and, thou great-sized coward,
Modern: I’ll cut right through you! And you, you huge coward,

Original: No space of earth shall sunder our two hates:
Modern: No distance on earth will separate our mutual hatred:

Original: I’ll haunt thee like a wicked conscience still,
Modern: I’ll pursue you constantly like a guilty conscience,

Original: That mouldeth goblins swift as frenzy’s thoughts.
Modern: That creates terrifying demons as fast as mad thoughts.

Original: Strike a free march to Troy! with comfort go:
Modern: Begin a bold march back to Troy! Go with some relief:

Original: Hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe.
Modern: The hope of getting revenge will cover up our inner grief.

Act V, Scene 10 of Troilus and Cressida

In this brief scene on the plains between Troy and the Greek camps, Aeneas encounters the wounded Trojan warriors Paris and Troilus. Paris reports that Hector has been killed, news that devastates Troilus. The younger prince refuses to accept the report initially, but Paris confirms the terrible truth. Troilus declares his intention to continue fighting despite the loss, vowing vengeance against the Greeks.

Troilus sends Paris back to Troy to inform King Priam and the Trojan court of Hector’s death, instructing him to bid them stay within the city walls. Alone, Troilus expresses his profound grief and rage over his brother’s death. He curses the day, rails against Achilles, and laments that hope itself has ended with Hector’s fall. Despite his anguish, Troilus resolves to return to battle, seeking either to avenge Hector or to die fighting. He exits determined to face the Greeks once more, consumed by fury and sorrow.

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.