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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Troilus and Cressida
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(c.1602) Tragedy by *Shakespeare, for which Chaucer's *Troilus and Criseyde was merely one of the sources. Where Chaucer concentrated on the lovers, Shakespeare broadens the story to bring in the main scenes and the leading figures of the *Trojan War itself. The heroes are for the most part presented as cynical and unscrupulous (Hector being the noble exception), and a running commentary on the nature of war is provided by the twisted and bitter Thersites. Pandarus is here more of the bustling unctuous bawd, giving the word 'pander' (in use from soon after Chaucer's time) its lasting flavour.
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