Tragic love in literature
Reading about the bicentenary of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (coming up in January) and the various industry celebrations which will be taking place, got me thinking about love this week. Not the happy-ever-after love of Elizabeth and her Darcy though, no; it has always been literature’s tragic couples which have captured my imagination, and for good reason.
While everyone loves a happy ending, this is just not realistic of life, is it? Not all the time, anyway. Indeed, sometimes it seems that the traditional concept of true love and the happy-ever-after has been swallowed up in the modern, fast-paced world that we live in.
Before my teenage readers start to well up over their unrequited or tragic love lives, I want to let you know that you are not alone. As long as there have been stories and books, there has been a tale of tragic love to tell. So, rather than reaching for the tissues and chocolate, take a look at this compilation of my favourite tragic couples in literature – you may not feel so bad about your own predicament after all!
1) Catherine and Heathcliff from Emily Bronte’s novel, ‘Wuthering Heights’
While many will hone in on the sensuous scenes from the wild and windy moors, or curse Heathcliff for his rabid cruelty, it is the heart-breaking love story of ‘Wuthering Heights’ which characterises it as one of the finest works of all time.
When young Catherine Earnshaw’s father introduces her to her new stepbrother, Heathcliff, she is naturally shocked and disgusted. It was not very often, at the turn of the 19th century that a stray orphan picked up from the city streets would be welcomed into any distinguished family.
However, upon recognising a similar penchant for mischief, Cathy finds a playmate and confidante in ‘her Heathcliff’ and forms a childhood bond which she thinks is unbreakable. As both grow older and closer however, they quickly realise that social condition will always win out over even the most passionate love. This is the kind of relationship that will have you raging with anger at one moment, then sobbing madly the next!
2) Tristan and Iseult from the French and Celtic folk tales
As long as there have been fairy and folk tales in my world, there has been Tristan and Iseult. The many modern versions of the story can all be traced back either the French poems of the 12th century or the Medieval prose of the 15th century.
The essence of the tale is the adulterous love of Iseult, an Irish princess, with the Cornish knight, Tristan, who is also the beloved nephew of her husband, King Mark. The tale goes that Tristan voyages over to Ireland to bring back the beautiful Iseult for his king, but throws a proverbial spanner in the works when he ingests a love potion. Needless to say, upon sight of one another, Tristan and Iseult fall madly in love.
When the time comes for King Mark to marry his bride, the two young lovers cannot seem to bear separation, and so an adulterous affair ensures within the kingdom. If history has taught us that the path to true love is rocky, one can only imagine the tragic ending that lay in store for poor Tristan and Iseult. I won’t spoil the ending, but keep the Kleenex on hand!
3) Antony and Cleopatra from Shakespeare’s play ‘Antony and Cleopatra’
The words Shakespeare, love and tragedy usually bring one couple to mind – Romeo and Juliet. And while theirs is one of the most enduring and tragic love stories of all, I am conscious of the precedence the story already has in modern literature.
It is Shakespeare’s play on the tumultuous love story of Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, and Roman triumvir Mark Antony, two of the great leaders of the ancient world, which has always stood out to me as one of the most dramatic and tragic love stories of all time.
Things are never going to be straightforward when dealing with the ‘superpowers’ of the ancient world, and so adding war, political marriage and two very big egos into the mix doesn’t bode well for an already tempestuous relationship. And modern teens thought they had it bad!
Shakespeare’s play on the ancient tale of this epic love affair captures all the drama and passion of what is truly one of the most tragic love stories in history.
Other honourable mentions include Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester, who do finally get their happy ending but at a tragic cost, and of course, Guinevere and her knight in shining armour, Lancelot.
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