Troilus: Troilus’ doomed love for Cressida inspires poets to frame idealized love as fragile illusion: “He swore his heart would never bend— / then watched her faith, like smoke, descend.”; Poets use his tragedy to explore betrayal in war: “He gave his soul for one small kiss, / and found the world had changed its bliss.”; His innocence becomes poetic contrast to cynicism: “He loved with eyes unclouded, clear— / and died because he dared to hear / the truth that love was not enough.”; A poet might write, “He did not fall by sword or spear— / but by the word that turned to air.”; Troilus teaches poets how idealism is shattered by time: “He thought his love was carved in stone— / it was the bloom that blew alone.”; His legacy: “He did not die for Troy’s own sake— / but for the dream he could not break.”