This second volume of Chaucer's works presents two sides of the same brilliant coin. One is a profound conversation about life's biggest puzzles, and the other is a love story that will wreck you in the best way.

The Story

The book starts with Chaucer's Middle English translation of Boethius's The Consolation of Philosophy. Imagine a wise man, imprisoned and lamenting his rotten luck. Lady Philosophy appears to him, not with empty comfort, but with hard logic. She argues that fortune is fickle by nature, and true happiness comes from within, from virtue and understanding a higher, divine order. It's a dense, philosophical dialogue that Chaucer brought to an English audience.

Then, we get to the main event: Troilus and Criseyde. In besieged Troy, Prince Troilus mocks love until he sees Criseyde, a beautiful and intelligent widow. He's instantly smitten but too shy to act. Enter Pandarus, Criseyde's uncle and Troilus's friend, who becomes the ultimate—and often hilariously manipulative—medieval wingman. Through his schemes, Troilus and Criseyde confess their love and share a secret, passionate relationship. But the war intervenes. Criseyde is sent to the Greek camp in a prisoner exchange. She promises to return to Troilus, but once among the Greeks, she feels isolated, pressured, and ultimately yields to the advances of the warrior Diomede. Troilus is destroyed by her betrayal, and the story lifts off from a personal tragedy to a cosmic perspective on the fleeting nature of earthly joy.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was how human everyone feels. Troilus isn't just a heroic prince; he's a lovesick teenager. Criseyde isn't a simple villainess; she's a pragmatic woman trying to survive in an impossible situation, and her internal debates are incredibly relatable. Pandarus is that friend who's a little too involved in your love life, for better or worse. Chaucer treats them with empathy, not judgment. The poetry itself is musical and clever. He builds this intense, intimate world of stolen glances and secret meetings, making the eventual fallout so much more powerful. It’s a masterclass in how to make readers care deeply about characters from a distant, mythical past.

Final Verdict

This is for you if you love character-driven stories where people make messy, complicated choices. It's perfect for fans of tragic romance, but also for anyone who enjoys smart, witty writing that explores fate, free will, and the human heart. The Boethius translation adds fascinating context, showing the philosophical framework Chaucer was playing with. Don't be intimidated by the Middle English if you have a good modern edition with notes—the effort is worth it. This isn't just a historical artifact; it's a deeply moving, insightful, and surprisingly fun read.