What’s Love Got to Do With It?
With Valentine’s Day just days away, love is in the air. From classic tales of star-crossed lovers to modern-day rom-coms, romantic relationships in literature have always been a popular theme among readers. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of love and relationships in literature.
One of the earliest and most well-known depictions of romantic love can be found in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Set in Italy, the tragedy tells the story of two young lovers from feuding rival families. Despite the bitterness between their families, Romeo and Juliet's love for each other is unshakeable. The play not only highlights the intensity and passion of young love, but also the pressures and expectations family can sometimes put on us that can ultimately lead to its downfall.
“These violent delights have violent ends, And in their triumph die; like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss, consume: the sweetest honey. Is loathsome in his own deliciousness, And in the taste confounds the appetite: Therefore love moderately: long love doth so.”
— William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
In comparison, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice gives a more realistic and historical portrayal of romantic relationships of the time period. Through the characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Austen explores the themes of class, social status, and the expectations of marriage. The slow-burning romance between the two characters is filled with misunderstandings, assumptions, pride, and prejudice, but ultimately leads to a happy ending.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
— Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Aside from romantic relationships between two individuals, literature also explores the complexities of love and relationships within families. In the novel The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, young Mary is forced to leave the only home she’s ever known after her parents tragic deaths, and is taken to live with her reclusive uncle and invalid cousin.
What she discovers is that a little bit of kindness and imagination can warm even the coldest of hearts and allow love still to bloom. This classic and timeless story showcases the importance of familial love and the ties that hold us together.
“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.”
— Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
In more recent years, the ever popular young adult genre has produced more modern day portrayals of romantic love. The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, for example, centers around the intense and passionate love between a human girl, Bella, and a vampire, Edward. Their relationship is riddled with obstacles and dangers, as Bella must navigate the slippery slope of not only being a new kid in a new place, but dating a supernatural being while also dealing with the ongoing conflict between vampires and werewolves, as well as keeping the secret of their existence from humans.
“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him-and I didn't know how potent that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”
- Stephanie Meyer, Twilight
On the other hand, the novel The Fault in Our Stars by John Green depicts a more realistic and melancholic portrayal of teenage romance. The story follows Hazel, a teenage girl battling with cancer, and Augustus, a boy in remission from cancer. Together, they navigate the challenges they face due to their illnesses and the harsh reality that humans are never guaranteed tomorrow. This heartbreaking yet beautiful novel explores the power of love and the inevitability of heartbreak and loss.
“I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you.”
— John Green, The Fault In Our Stars
From the intense and passionate love of Romeo and Juliet to more fantastical, modern-day relationships, literature continues to explore the power of love and human connection. These novels not only entertain us but also provide insights into the different forms and expressions of love, making us reflect on our own relationships and the world around us.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
This article was written by Kate White, a member of the StoryForge community. Chat with us about guest writing at info@storyforge.com.