Notes

Hector’s modes of addressing Troilus as ‘young Troilus’, ‘brave boy’, are meant primarily as dramatic irony since he has not watched as the audience has, the painful scene in which Troilus matures emotionally. But these fond addresses may also reflect on the violence which Troilus advocates in the next few lines.

Troilus’ repudiation of any ‘vice of mercy’ frightens Hector, who calls him ‘savage.’ It is obviously the result of Troilus’ complete disillusionment with Cressida, whose letter is contemptuously dismissed as ‘Words, words, mere words.’

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