# Pandarus — Troilus and Cressida character guide

> Pandarus in Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pandarus Troilus, Pandarus Sweet Pandarus, Pandarus Ay, Pandarus Within, Pandarus Who, Pandarus Prithee, the Lord Pandarus, My Lord Pandarus, Lord Pandarus, Pandarus Friend, Pandarus Helenus, Pandarus Achilles, Pandarus Hark, Pandarus Condition, Pandarus Quoth, Pandarus Words, Pandar, Pandarus Grace, Pandarus Nay, Pandarus Pretty

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

Cressida's uncle and Troilus's eager go-between, forever praising his niece's suitor and meddling in a romance that is none of his business.

## Who they are

Pandarus bustles between the lovers, extolling Troilus's dimpled smile, his chin, his valor, until even Cressida tells him to be quiet. He speaks in food and baking metaphors — grinding, bolting, kneading, cooling — as if love were a cake that must not burn. His relentless chattering drives the courtship forward and gives the play its name for go-betweens, making him both comic engine and uneasy witness to what he arranges.

## Relationships

### [Troilus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/troilus)

_psychological_

Pandarus acts as a manipulative go-between and uncle figure, engineering Troilus's romantic pursuit of Cressida for his own amusement and gain.

### [Ajax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/ajax)

_social_

Ajax and Pandarus have limited direct interaction, likely as opposing figures in the Trojan War context.

### [Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/agamemnon)

_social_

Agamemnon and Pandarus have limited interaction, likely as opposing figures in the war's social fabric.

### [Hector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/hector)

_social_

Hector and Pandarus are acquaintances in the Trojan court, with Pandarus serving as a go-between for romantic intrigues.

### [Cressida](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/cressida)

_psychological_

Pandarus manipulates Cressida into a relationship with Troilus, acting as her uncle and panderer.

### [Troilus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/troilus)

_psychological_

Pandarus acts as a manipulative go-between and uncle figure, engineering Troilus's romantic pursuit of Cressida for his own amusement and gain.

### [Troilus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/troilus)

_psychological_

Pandarus acts as a manipulative go-between and uncle figure, engineering Troilus's romantic pursuit of Cressida for his own amusement and gain.

### [Ajax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/ajax)

_social_

Ajax and Pandarus have limited direct interaction, likely as opposing figures in the Trojan War context.

### [Ajax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/ajax)

_social_

Ajax and Pandarus have limited direct interaction, likely as opposing figures in the Trojan War context.

### [Hector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/hector)

_social_

Hector and Pandarus are acquaintances in the Trojan court, with Pandarus serving as a go-between for romantic intrigues.

### [Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/agamemnon)

_social_

Agamemnon and Pandarus have limited interaction, likely as opposing figures in the war's social fabric.

### [Cressida](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/cressida)

_psychological_

Pandarus manipulates Cressida into a relationship with Troilus, acting as her uncle and panderer.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Acts as the go-between for Troilus and Cressida, but grows weary of Troilus's impatience and threatens to withdraw his help.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Acts as a go-between, praising Troilus excessively and arranging a meeting, while Cressida accuses him of being a bawd.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Visits Paris and Helen, delivers a message from Troilus, and sings a song about love.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Acts as go-between, arranging the meeting and witnessing the lovers' vows; declares that all go-betweens should be called 'Pandars' after him.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Interrupts the lovers, then laments the exchange order.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Attempts to moderate Cressida's grief and later laments the parting, quoting a rhyme about heavy hearts.

### [Scene X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-v-scene-x)

Rejected by Troilus, delivers a final soliloquy lamenting his role as a pander.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/pandarus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters