Far From The Madding Crowd

Summer brings the Greenhill sheep fair, which is popularly attended by the people of Weatherbury, being very close by. Although the sheep are the main purpose of the fair, many other diversions and entertainments take place, as well. This fair includes a show recreating Turpin’s ride to York and the death of Black Bess. The show, an action-adventure plot, happens to star Sergeant Troy.

Troy traveled with the ship that rescued him to America, where, for a while, he eked out a living traveling from town to town teaching physical fitness and fighting exercises. After growing tired of this life—in particular, of being broke—he decides to return to England to reclaim his position at Weatherbury Upper Farm. Though he sails to Liverpool, he puts off his return to the farm day by day, concerned about his reception and possible liability if Bathsheba has ruined the farm. He falls in with a traveling circus and, quite accidentally, ends up at Greenhill Fair.

Bathsheba hears about the play; when she expresses interest in it to Boldwood, he procures her an honored seat for the first performance, placing her in a very conspicuous spot. Troy sees her and thus must perform the first performance silently—as he is masked, only his