TROILUS &
CRESSIDA
Character
Breakdown
MEN
TROILUS: Trojan son of
King Priam. Approximately 20 years old.
Both a lover and a fighter.
Handsome, youthful, and athletic.
Prone to exclaiming dramatic proclamations of love as well as throwing temper-tantrums. Very dramatic. A fierce and strong warrior as
well.
ACHILLES: The famous
Greek warrior. Approximately 30 years old.
Known to cause death whenever he fights.
Must be a large, epic, muscular actor. Although very fierce, he is also
very prideful, and spends much of his time in his tent with his cousin
Patroclus on protest…until his fury is unleashed, then y’all better watch out…
AGAMEMNON: The Greek war
general. 40-50 years old. Authoritative and in charge. Must have a kingly presence and physicality
without appearing too young. He does
lots of discussing war, but not a lot of fighting it.
DIOMEDES: A Greek
warrior. 20-30 years old. Mysterious and
attractive. Ends up seducing Cressida at
the end of the play, but his motives need to be ambiguous and suspicious. Dark and quiet, yet dangerous and intriguing.
PARIS: Trojan son of
King Priam. Older than Troilus but younger than Hector. Aproximately 25 years old. His desire for Helen is the cause of the
entire war, yet he seems to not care that thousands of men are dying so that he
can have the object of his desire. A
lustful, vain, cocky pretty boy. Also an
athletic warrior who fights in the wars at times. Seems to have a good relationship with his
brother Troilus, and a very superficial, physical relationship with Helen.
AJAX: A Greek
warrior. Approximately 25-30 years old. A dumb brute. Must be a larger, muscular actor who can play
comedy as well. He is a little slow on
the uptake, but quick to fight and beat people up.
PATROCLUS: A Greek
warrior. Approximately 20 years old.
Achilles’ much-beloved cousin.
Physically, must be an athletic warrior. Most importantly, he needs to
be able to create a believable brotherly relationship with Achilles.
NESTOR: An old Greek war
official. Approximately 70-80 years
old. Is respected by the Greeks mainly
because of his age and experience. Sits
on the war council, but doesn’t do any fighting.
CALCHAS: Cressida’s
father. Approximately 50 years old. A Trojan who has defected to the Greek
side. Wants to get his daughter on the
Greek side as well.
PRIAM: King of Troy.
Approximately 60 years old. We see him
mostly in the context of a father trying to mediate between his children. Must be a regal authority.
MENELAUS: A Greek war
official. Approximately 40 years
old. Agamemnon’s brother. Trying to gain back his honor and his wife is
the entire reason for the Greek involvement in the war, yet he stays quiet
through much of the play, serving mostly as the butt of jokes. Sits on the war council, but also does some
fighting as well.
ANTENOR: A Trojan
warrior. A much-valued warrior who has
been taken prisoner by the Greeks. Doesn’t
say anything but must look like an awesome warrior.
MALE ENSEMBLE:
Most
will be warriors either on the Trojan or Greek side. Trojan warriors will need to be athletic and
fit. Greek warriors will need to be able
to look imposing. All warriors will be
doing a lot of stage combat and fighting.
Some will double as the Myrmidons who need to be large and scary. Some will double as Helen’s servant-men.
WOMEN
CRESSIDA: A young Trojan
woman. Approximately 20 years old. Youthful and beautiful, yet smart and
well-spoken. Although her plans are
usually well thought-out and clever, she ends up succumbing to her passions and
is easily swayed by young, attractive men.
PANDARUS: Cressida’s
cousin. Anywhere from 25-40 years old.
For some reason, she is dedicated to getting Troilus and Cressida together and
is fairly emotionally invested in that goal.
Must be able to be a mature presence, yet also bring the comic relief to
the play through extreme tactics.
Some
will be Trojan dancers as well as in Helen’s entourage. These must all be good movers with striking
physicality.
Others
will be servants and attendants on the various soldiers and war officials.
