# Paris — Troilus and Cressida character guide

> Paris in Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Paris Hector, Priam Paris

**First appearance:** 0008-act-ii-scene-ii

## Snapshot

The Trojan prince whose stolen Helen ignited the war, now strolling the streets unbruised while others bleed for his romance.

## Who they are

Paris is the beautiful cause of everything, and Pandarus can barely be bothered to praise him once Troilus rides past. He claims to know what love is and pities those it wounds, yet his own appetite started a ten-year siege. His blithe survival in a city of casualties makes him the play's most uncomfortable argument about desire and its costs.

## In the story

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

Reported by Aeneas to have been wounded by Menelaus in the field.

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

Seen passing by; Pandarus dismisses him as inferior to Troilus.

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

Defends his abduction of Helen and insists on keeping her to preserve honor.

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

Present with Helen, discusses love and the day's battles, agrees to make Troilus's excuse.

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

Leads the group; reveals the plan to exchange Cressida for Antenor and engages in a debate with Diomedes about Helen.

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

Urges Troilus to hasten Cressida's delivery and expresses sympathy for his brother's love.

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

Summons Troilus and urges the group to prepare for battle, noting Hector's trumpet.

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

Fights Menelaus.

## Links

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