This edition is the first to offer a detailed account of the theatrical treatment of Troilus and Cressida on the British and North American stages from its first revivals at the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. As social turmoil increased, audiences grew more in tune with the play's cynical undercutting of the Homeric tale of Greeks and Trojans, and less dismissive of Shakepeare's dark comedic treatment of the Medieval tale of Troilus and Cressida. This edition of this problematic and fascinating play traces its theatrical history, drawing upon critical responses, photographic archives, promptbooks, and video tapes of more recent productions to trace changes in production styles and emphases. Stage history is placed against a broader background of social change including shifting attitudes towards war, politics, sexual issues, and the rise of feminism that has increased understanding of Cressida's actions in a wartime man's world.

シェイクスピアの「問題劇」とされる本作は、英雄譚の虚飾を剥ぎ取り、戦争と欲望の真実を暴き出す毒気に満ちた傑作です。英雄たちの高潔さは冷笑的な政治劇へと堕し、愛の誓いは時間の残酷さの中で風化します。この作品の真髄は、伝統的な価値観を徹底的に解体し、現代に通じる虚無感や人間の脆さを浮き彫りにした、その驚異的な先見性にあります。 特に、過酷な男性社会で生き抜くクレシダの苦悩は、現代的なフェミニズムの文脈でも強烈な光を放ちます。補足にある映像記録や舞台史の変遷は、テキストに潜む皮肉が時代ごとの社会不安と共鳴し、より鮮烈な「生きた叫び」へと昇華されてきたことを物語っています。静謐な思索と映像が放つ肉体的な衝撃が融合する時、この劇薬のような悲劇は真の輝きを放つのです。