Being a woman means being frivolous and inconstant. This is the position that Geoffrey Chaucer takes in his love poem, "Troilus and Criseyde." The beautiful Criseyde, with whom Troilus falls madly in love, is the emblem of frivolity and inconstancy, in her actions as well as in her thoughts. Criseyde's own uncle, in reference to the woman's wavering heart, says that "to keep it is as difficult as to win it" (book 3.verse234). Chaucer also uses symbolism: the moon parallels Criseyde's actions; it is constantly evolving, like a woman's prerogative. Chaucer also reflects on the role of Fortune, who, having a feminine character, is constantly subject to whims and changes. Chaucer's negative view of the female gender can be clearly seen throughout this tale. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Criseyde is the most significant example of Chaucer's perspective, and by far the simplest. She promises Troilus with many heartfelt words that she will be faithful to him forever, swearing to God that she will never turn away: "For I am yours, by God and this true oath" (3.216). He makes these vows with honesty in his heart: "Everything he said was said with good intentions, / ... he said just what he meant" (4.203). While this may seem to show that she does not deceive her love when she leaves him for Diomedes, it actually only shows how fickle and frivolous a woman can be. When Criseyde chooses to leave her "love", Troilus, it is for very superficial reasons. She does not leave Troilus because she loves another: The sayings of this sudden Diomedes, His exalted position and the sinking city... [which] thus began to reproduce The reason why... he decided to stay (5.147) Criseyde chooses not to return to her beloved, as she had repeatedly promised she would. Criseyde is described as rather mean; he leaves Troilus for extremely superficial reasons. To make matters worse, instead of immediately feeling sorrow towards Troilus or remorse for what he has done to him, he laments what his actions will mean for his well-being. He thinks to himself that "no good from me, till the end of the world, / Shall ever be written, said, or sung again / ... Alas, I should suffer such a fall" (5.152). Chaucer strips away any pity one might feel towards Criseyde by emphasizing her vanity and inconstancy. He causes Troilus, a character Chaucer has given readers no reason to dislike, such pain that he is "defeated and so sorrowful" (5.175). Troilus is faithful to his promise of love until his death, while Criseyde's feelings change radically. Chaucer uses the imagery of the moon to foreshadow the fact that Criseyde's heart will indeed change. The moon is often found in Chaucer's poetry, and very often in a context parallel to Criseyde's decision. He uses phrases like “moon change” (3.79) and “the moon was bent” (3.90) to weave in the idea that the moon is in a constant state of flux. He connects this to Criseyde's actions to show that she too is constantly changing. Troilus "...every night he rose to see the moon/to say 'Moon again, at night your horns are renewed/I will be happy - if all the world is true'" (5.93). He watches the moon to keep track of when Criseyde might return to him, but as the moon changes, so does his significant other's mind. Chaucer hints at this when he writes, "in the sky the stars were still seen, / though the moon was growing pale, even rapidly" (5.40). This symbolizes the fact that while Criseyde still loves Troilus, her love will soon fade and then disappear altogether. The moon, linked to femininity through hers.