Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and love is in the air. Last year, I commemorated Valentine’s Day on this blog by celebrating some of the greatest lovers in literary history. This year, I’m back for round two, with even more of literature’s most memorable lovers, from some of the greatest stories in history. Warning – I can’t promise that all of these lovers have a happy ending, but I can promise that their love was memorable.
- Anne Elliot & Captain Wentworth (Persuasion) – The prime example of second-chance love; Separated callously by the prejudices of her family and friends, Anne and Wentworth met again years later, only to find that their love for each other was still strong. They are proof that true love lasts despite meddlesome well-meaning friends, separation and time. When you truly love someone, nothing can make it go away.
- Tristan & Isolde (Traditional myths) – Before there was Lancelot and Guinevere, there was Tristan and Isolde. He was nephew to the king of Cornwall; she was the king’s wife. They were brought together once by fate, then torn apart over the politics of marriage. Their love for one another survived and thrived, despite the pesky detail of Isolde being married to someone else. Their passion overruled common sense and, eventually, the discovery of their affair threatened their country.
- Odysseus & Penelope (The Odyssey) – After emerging triumphant in the Trojan War, Odysseus set off for home, only to be delayed by 20 years. Despite the uncertainty of his fate, his wife Penelope became the pinnacle of faithfulness, her love never wavering. As evidence: Penelope reportedly refused marriage proposals from more than 100 men during those 20 years! Considering that no one knew whether Odysseus was alive or dead, that’s devotion!
- Daisy Buchanan & Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) – It’s difficult to love this couple. She’s a spoiled, pampered socialite who ignores her child for her own selfish whims; His actions amount to stalking the woman he claims to love and covering up a hit and run accident. Still, their love for one another is so consuming and obsessive, it’s hard to avoid getting caught up in it. Alas, their love was not to last, which is probably best considering the number of people hurt or dead as a result of their actions.
- Beauty & the Beast (Fairy tales) – Whether you choose to believe the Disney cartoon version or the traditional fairy tale, the heart of the story is the same: true love is blind. Love isn’t about good looks or fancy clothes. It’s not about appearance, but rather your own heart. It’s about loving someone else for who they are on the inside and knowing that true beauty – and true love – comes from within.
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]
