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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
Relectura agosto 2016
Algún envidioso podría chismorrear: "esto es un amor repentino, ¿cómo puede ser que ella ame a Troilo tan fácilmente, sólo a primera vista, pardiez?". Que quien hable así nunca prospere, pues todo debe tener un principio antes de estar hecho, sin ninguna duda.
Ah, peco de envidiosa entonces. Tengo ciertos reparos con esta historia, sobre todo cuando toca el tema relativo al amor en sí, así que seré breve e informal (léase: "con un tono inadecuado para libros tan importantes como este") porque mis problemas están en el argumento. Troilo y Criseida es lindo para leer y guarda ese componente trágico que reclaman las tramas en donde los dos amantes vienen de mundos (o ciudades) distintos y las cosas no pueden ser fáciles para ellos. No obstante, hay algo en él que produce un boicot interno, por decirlo de alguna forma.
El libro está impecablemente escrito y (tal vez con un poco de ayuda de la traducción) no es rebuscado. El problema es la historia de amor entre Troilo y Criseida, que se siente muy forzada y hasta en uno de los discursos de Pándaro, el tío de Criseida, se insinúa eso. Prácticamente, a Criseida la obligan a enamorarse de Troilo porque él sufría por ella y estaba a punto de morir (figurativamente hablando). "Que se las arregle", le podría haber contestado*, pero no: tras el lavado de cabeza que le hace su tío, ella cae. Lo peor de todo es que se siente real. Y no es spoiler, porque todo esto pasa en los primeros capítulos y no estoy contando el giro.
Puede que esté mirando esto con los ojos del siglo XXI, puede que no. La cuestión es que el argumento no se sostiene por sí mismo porque los cimientos tambalean desde el principio, cosa que me extraña de Chaucer. Los hechos sobre Troya se mencionan muy por encima, a pesar de ser el contexto. Si bien el proceso del enamoramiento está explicado paso a paso y tiene algunas ideas interesantes, no soy adepta a leer libros que se centren totalmente en una pareja. Lamentablemente, no le puedo poner más calificación porque no lo pude disfrutar.
(*) Para paliar un poco que suene como una desalmada: Criseida es viuda y su tío sabe que ella no está pensando en enamorarse (ni mucho menos), pero él va y le pone a Troilo delante de la nariz, básicamente.
Algún envidioso podría chismorrear: "esto es un amor repentino, ¿cómo puede ser que ella ame a Troilo tan fácilmente, sólo a primera vista, pardiez?". Que quien hable así nunca prospere, pues todo debe tener un principio antes de estar hecho, sin ninguna duda.
Ah, peco de envidiosa entonces. Tengo ciertos reparos con esta historia, sobre todo cuando toca el tema relativo al amor en sí, así que seré breve e informal (léase: "con un tono inadecuado para libros tan importantes como este") porque mis problemas están en el argumento. Troilo y Criseida es lindo para leer y guarda ese componente trágico que reclaman las tramas en donde los dos amantes vienen de mundos (o ciudades) distintos y las cosas no pueden ser fáciles para ellos. No obstante, hay algo en él que produce un boicot interno, por decirlo de alguna forma.
El libro está impecablemente escrito y (tal vez con un poco de ayuda de la traducción) no es rebuscado. El problema es la historia de amor entre Troilo y Criseida, que se siente muy forzada y hasta en uno de los discursos de Pándaro, el tío de Criseida, se insinúa eso. Prácticamente, a Criseida la obligan a enamorarse de Troilo porque él sufría por ella y estaba a punto de morir (figurativamente hablando). "Que se las arregle", le podría haber contestado*, pero no: tras el lavado de cabeza que le hace su tío, ella cae. Lo peor de todo es que se siente real. Y no es spoiler, porque todo esto pasa en los primeros capítulos y no estoy contando el giro.
Puede que esté mirando esto con los ojos del siglo XXI, puede que no. La cuestión es que el argumento no se sostiene por sí mismo porque los cimientos tambalean desde el principio, cosa que me extraña de Chaucer. Los hechos sobre Troya se mencionan muy por encima, a pesar de ser el contexto. Si bien el proceso del enamoramiento está explicado paso a paso y tiene algunas ideas interesantes, no soy adepta a leer libros que se centren totalmente en una pareja. Lamentablemente, no le puedo poner más calificación porque no lo pude disfrutar.
(*) Para paliar un poco que suene como una desalmada: Criseida es viuda y su tío sabe que ella no está pensando en enamorarse (ni mucho menos), pero él va y le pone a Troilo delante de la nariz, básicamente.
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As with many other books I read for a class, it is really difficult to place a final rating. Since my ratings are on the personal enjoyment I had regarding this book, the fact that the book was written in middle English definitely detracted from the score. At the same time, however, if you can get over the funky writing (or perhaps just pick up a modern translation), there's a really great story here to be enjoyed. Additionally, the analysis that can be performed here as to the intentions and actions of the characters creates some great discussions in a classroom setting.
challenging
slow-paced
Hard to read, but I loved the story. I always love relationships that were doomed to fail, especially the Trojan war.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's always hard to review the classics because so much of the story is hidden behind archaisms, ancient-modern differences and foreignness.
However, there's a reason we call Chaucer a genius. Although more challenging (and not as intuitive) as the Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde is a stunning piece of poetry that is multi-layered and rich in medieval symbolism.
There's a real danger that this review could spiral into a full on essay, so in the interest of not boring everyone to death, here are a few thoughts on why you should read this (and why not). A disclaimer too, I read this for university so my appreciation of it is unapologetically filtered through a passion for medievalism and an academic interest. I also realise that most other people read it for uni too - and I'm fairly sure at the expense of a few groans of boredom.
Let's be real. To our modern eyes (and ears) this stuff is dense. And for anyone who isn't used to Middle English texts, might require the use of a dictionary to fully decipher Chaucer's vocabulary. This isn't a flaw of the text itself (I doubt Chaucer had the 21st century reader in mind when he composed it) but if old-fashioned language isn't your cup of tea then this book will be a chore. Compared to modern texts it's also slow moving - with little action and many many monologues and conversations.
However, the language is undeniably beautiful. Chaucer is such a master of register and he captures the subtleties of characterisation through his dialogue and word choice - the strutting warrior Troilus' transformation into a servant of cupid is mirrored through an importation (parody?) of French love poetry and courtly diction, whilst his dramatic wallowings satirise the romance tradition and moralising religous poems of the time.
For the student interested (or forced to read) in symbolism, medievalisms and social commentary - there is plenty of that, and we are given references to all and sundry.
Troilus and Criseyde aren't particularly strong characters - but they are useful, and well constructed tools through which the story probes wider implications of readership, love, morality and conversations of free-will, so that they form only a minor piece of the book itself.
I haven't given in 5 stars because that not only seems a little pretentious, but also Pandarus annoys me so much and I wish I could bash him over the head with the book.
Don't read this if you're looking for toe-curling romance, epic battles, or if you hate poetry.
Do read this if you enjoy metre, language and philosophy.
However, there's a reason we call Chaucer a genius. Although more challenging (and not as intuitive) as the Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde is a stunning piece of poetry that is multi-layered and rich in medieval symbolism.
There's a real danger that this review could spiral into a full on essay, so in the interest of not boring everyone to death, here are a few thoughts on why you should read this (and why not). A disclaimer too, I read this for university so my appreciation of it is unapologetically filtered through a passion for medievalism and an academic interest. I also realise that most other people read it for uni too - and I'm fairly sure at the expense of a few groans of boredom.
Let's be real. To our modern eyes (and ears) this stuff is dense. And for anyone who isn't used to Middle English texts, might require the use of a dictionary to fully decipher Chaucer's vocabulary. This isn't a flaw of the text itself (I doubt Chaucer had the 21st century reader in mind when he composed it) but if old-fashioned language isn't your cup of tea then this book will be a chore. Compared to modern texts it's also slow moving - with little action and many many monologues and conversations.
However, the language is undeniably beautiful. Chaucer is such a master of register and he captures the subtleties of characterisation through his dialogue and word choice - the strutting warrior Troilus' transformation into a servant of cupid is mirrored through an importation (parody?) of French love poetry and courtly diction, whilst his dramatic wallowings satirise the romance tradition and moralising religous poems of the time.
For the student interested (or forced to read) in symbolism, medievalisms and social commentary - there is plenty of that, and we are given references to all and sundry.
Troilus and Criseyde aren't particularly strong characters - but they are useful, and well constructed tools through which the story probes wider implications of readership, love, morality and conversations of free-will, so that they form only a minor piece of the book itself.
I haven't given in 5 stars because that not only seems a little pretentious, but also Pandarus annoys me so much and I wish I could bash him over the head with the book.
Don't read this if you're looking for toe-curling romance, epic battles, or if you hate poetry.
Do read this if you enjoy metre, language and philosophy.
The not so commonly read story of Troilus, a son of Priam during the Trojan war. While the stories of Hector and Paris are world renowned, I believe there is perhaps something of note in this less destructive romance of Priam's children also revolving around, if not causing, the Trojan war.
An older romance from the medieval era that would be in good company with your reading of "The Illiad" though I myself didn't make it all the way through in the Original Middle English. Thank you A. S. Kline over at Poetry in Translation for translating and providing a free Modern English version!
An older romance from the medieval era that would be in good company with your reading of "The Illiad" though I myself didn't make it all the way through in the Original Middle English. Thank you A. S. Kline over at Poetry in Translation for translating and providing a free Modern English version!