Book IV Summary

Book IV is introduced with a brief synopsis of the fate in store for Troilus and Crisyede. Chaucer invokes Fortune in his introduction and foreshadows Criseyde's betrayal of Troilus for Diomede.

The action of the book opens with a short description of a large battle between the Trojans and the Greeks where many Trojans are killed or captured, including Antenor, a son of King Priam and Troilus' brother. Antenor is taken prisoner by the Greeks.

Following the battle, the Greeks call for a truce so they might negotiate to exchange and ransom prisoners of war. Calkas, Criseyde's father, who has joined the Greeks, goes to the Greek leaders and reminds them of his prophecy from Apollo that the Greeks will soon take Troy, and asks that in exchange for Antenor they ask the Trojans to hand over Criseyde to return to...