Top Love Stories in History-
Do you believe in true love? Do you believe in love at first sight? Do you believe in love
lasting forever? I think that these love stories will
renew or reinforce your faith in love... They are the most famous
love stories in history and literature, they are immortal.
1. Romeo and Juliet
This is probably the most famous
lovers ever. This couple has become a synonym for love itself. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy by William
Shakespeare. Their love story is very tragic. The tale of two
teenagers from two feuding families who fall in love at first sight and then
marry, become true lovers and then risk it all for their love. To take your own
life for your husband or wife is definitely a sign of true love. Their
"untimely deaths" ultimately unite their feuding households.
2. Cleopatra and Mark Antony
The true love story of
Antony and Cleopatra is one of the most memorable, intriguing
and moving of all times. The story of these two historical characters
had later been dramatized by William Shakespeare and is still staged all over
the world. The relationship of Antony and Cleopatra is a true test
of love. They fell in love at first sight. The relationship between these two
powerful people put the country of Egypt in a powerful position. But their love
affair outraged the Romans who were wary of the growing powers of the
Egyptians. Despite all the threats, Anthony and Cleopatra got married. It is
said that while fighting a battle against Romans, Antony got false news of Cleopatra's
death. Shattered, he fell on his sword. When Cleopatra learned about Antony 's
death, she was shocked. And she took her own life. Great love demands great
sacrifices.
3. Lancelot and Guinevere
The tragic love story of
Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere is probably one of the
best-known stories of Arthurian Legend. Lancelot fall in love with Queen
Guinevere, King Arthur's wife. Their love grew slowly, as Guinevere kept
Lancelot away from her. Eventually, however, her love and passion overpowered
her and the pair became lovers. One night, Sir Agravain and Sir Modred, King
Arthur's nephew, led a band of 12 knights to Guinevere's chamber where they
burst in upon the lovers. Discovered, Sir Lancelot made a fighting escape, but
poor Guinevere was not so lucky. She was seized and condemned to burn to death
for her adultery. Fear not. Sir Lancelot returned several days later to rescue
his beloved Guinevere from the fire. This whole sad affair divided the Knights
of the Round Table and weakened Arthur's kingdom. Poor Lancelot ended his days
as a lowly hermit and Guinevere became a nun at Amesbury where she died.
4. Tristan and Isolde
The tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde has
been told and retold through various stories and manuscripts. It takes place
during medieval times during the reign of King Arthur. Isolde of Ireland was
the daughter of the King of Ireland. She was betrothed to King Mark of
Cornwall. King Mark sent his nephew, Tristan, to Ireland to escort Isolde back
to Cornwall. During the voyage, Isolde and Tristan fell forever in love. Isolde
did marry Mark of Cornwall, but could not help but love Tristan. The love
affair continued after the marriage. When King Mark finally learned of the
affair, he forgave Isolde, but Tristan was banned from Cornwall. Tristan went
to Brittany. There he met Iseult of Brittany. He was attracted to her because
of the similarity of her name to his true love. He married her, but did not
consummate the marriage because of his love for the "true" Isolde.
After falling ill, he sent for Isolde in hopes that she would be able to cure
him. If she agreed to come, the returning ship's sails would be white, or the
sails would be black if she did not agree. Iseult, seeing the white sails, lied
to Tristan and told him that the sails were black. He died of grief before
Isolde could reach him. Isolde died soon after of a broken heart.
5. Paris and Helena
Recounted in Homer's Iliad, the
story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan War is a Greek heroic legend,
combining fact and fiction. Helen of Troy is considered one the most beautiful
women in all literature. She was married to Menelaus, king of Sparta. Paris,
son of King Priam of Troy, fell in love with Helen and abducted her, taking her
back to Troy. The Greeks assembled a great army, led by Menelaus's brother,
Agamemnon, to retrieve Helen. Troy was destroyed. Helen returned safely to
Sparta, where she lived happily with Menelaus for the rest of her life.
6. Orpheus and Eurydice
Orpheus and Eurydice story is
an ancient greek tale of desperate love. Orpheus fell deeply in
love with and married Eurydice, a beautiful nymph. They were very much in love
and very happy together. Aristaeus, a Greek god of the land and agriculture,
became quite fond of Eurydice, and actively pursued her. While fleeing from
Aristaeus, Eurydice ran into a nest of snakes which bit her fatally on her
legs. Distraught, Orpheus played such sad songs and sang so mournfully that all
the nymphs and gods wept. On their advice, Orpheus traveled to the underworld
and by his music softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone (he was the only
person ever to do so), who agreed to allow Eurydice to return with him to earth
on one condition: he should walk in front of her and not look back until they
both had reached the upper world. In his anxiety he forgot that both needed to
be in the upper world, and he turned to look at her, and she vanished for the
second time, but now forever.
7. Napoleon and Josephine
A marriage of convenience, at age 26 Napoleon
took a fancy to Josephine. An older, prominent, and most importantly wealthy
woman. As time drew on,Napoleon fell deeply in love with Josephine, and
she with him, but that didn't deter the adultery on both sides-their mutual
respect for one another kept them together, and their burning passion between
them didn't falter, and was genuine. They eventually split, as Napoleon deeply
required something Josephine could not give him, an heir. Sadly they parted
ways, both bearing the love and passion in their hearts, for all eternity.
8. Odysseus and Penelope
Few couples understand sacrifice quite like this
Greek pair. After being torn apart, they wait twenty long years to be
reunited. War takes Odysseus away shortly after his marriage to Penelope.
Although she has little hope of his return, she resists the 108 suitors who are
anxious to replace her husband. Odysseus is equally devoted, refusing a
beautiful sorceress's offer of everlasting love and eternal youth, so that he
might return home to his wife and son. This Valentine's Day, take a cue from
Homer, and remember that true love is worth waiting for.
9. Paolo and Francesca
Paolo and Francesca are
made famous by the Dante's masterpiece "Divine Comedy".
It is a true story: Francesca is married with Gianciotto Malatesta an awful
person, but she has Gianciotto's brother, Paolo, as lover. The love between
them grows when they read together a book (according to Dante) about Lancelot
and Guinevere. When the two lovers are discovered they are killed by
Gianciotto.
10. Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler
"Gone with the wind" can
be identified as one of the immortal pieces of literary works in this world. Margaret
Mitchell's famous work has chronicled the love and hate relationship
between Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. Proving that timing is everything, Scarlett
O'Hara and Rhett Butler never seem to be quite in synch. Throughout
the epic story, this tempestuous twosome experience passion but not permanence,
and their stormy marriage reflects the surrounding Civil War battles. The
flirtatious, promiscuous, and perpetually pursued Scarlett can't make up her
mind between her many suitors. When she finally decides to settle on being
happy with Rhett, her fickle nature has already driven him away. Hope springs
eternal in our devious heroine, however, and the novel ends with Scarlett
proclaiming, "Tomorrow is another day."
11. Jane Eyre and Rochester
In reveal his penchant for polygamy -
on their wedding day, a horrified Jane discovers he is already married.
Heartbroken, Jane runs away, but later returns after a dreadful fire has
destroyed Rochester's mansion, killed his wife, and left him blind. Love
triumphs, and the two reunite and live out their days in shared bliss.
12. Layla and Majnun
A leading medieval poet of Iran, Nizami
of Ganje is known especially for hisromantic poem Layla and Majnun Inspired by an Arab
legend, Layla and Majnun is a tragic tale about unattainable love.
It had been told and retold for centuries, and depicted in manuscripts and
other media such as ceramics for nearly as long as the poem has been penned.
Layla and Qays fall in love while at school. Their love is observed and they
are soon prevented from seeing one another. In misery, Qays banishes himself to
the desert to live among and be consoled by animals. He neglects to eat and
becomes emaciated. Due to his eccentric behavior, he becomes known as Majnun
(madman). There he befriends an elderly Bedouin who promises to win him Layla’s
hand through warfare. Layla’s tribe is defeated, but her father continues to
refuse her marriage to Majnun because of his mad behavior, and she is married
to another. After the death of Layla’s husband, the old Bedouin facilitates a
meeting between Layla and Majnun, but they are never fully reconciled in life.
Upon death, they are buried side by side. The story is often interpreted as an
allegory of the soul’s yearning to be united with the divineCharlotte
Bronte's famous tale, friendless characters find a cure for loneliness in
each other's company. Jane is an abused orphan employed as a governess to the
charge of an abrasive, but very rich Edward Rochester. The improbable pair grow
close as Rochester reveals a tender heart beneath his gruff exterior. He does
not, however..
