The poem begins by describing how the author will tell of the sorrow of Troilus. While most epic poems typically begin with the invocation of a muse, one of the Greek goddesses of the arts, Chaucer begins with a prayer to Tisiphone, one of the furies. The furies are personifications of vengeance and suffering, foreshadowing the tragic outcome of Troilus’ love for Criseyde.

After this invocation, the author identifies himself not as a servant of the god of love but as a servant of those who serve the god of love: He views himself as too unattractive to risk love himself. He hopes to ease the distress of any suffering lovers who might read the poem, and he advises happy lovers to remember those who have not found love or who were betrayed by love, as Troilus was.

The poem begins by recounting how the city of Troy was besieged by the Greek army after the Trojan prince Paris abducted Helen. A skilled astronomer named Calkas (also spelled “Calchas”) discovers through his astrological calculation that Troy will fall to the Greeks. Realizing that there is no way to save the city, Calkas flees Troy and goes to pledge his loyalty to the Greek army instead.