In the spirit of all things romantic, Exeposé Books asked you, our loving and loyal readers, who is your all-time favourite literary couple. From Shakespeare to Rowling, McEwan to Bronte, there is certainly plenty of romance to be read. We’ve lovingly selected our favourite submissions to bring you Exeposé Book’s favourite literary love stories…
Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester (Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte) – Charlotte Broadbent
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”
166 years on, Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester’s romance is one which overcomes all obstacles, transcending social boundaries, centuries and generations. Ultimately, it is Eyre’s independence and strength, culminating in her refusal to live with Rochester out of wedlock in order to uphold her personal values, which secures Rochester’s respect as well as his love. A romance of mutual reverence, Eyre and Rochester are a literary couple which have stood the test of time. Eyre simultaneously follows her heart and uses her head, refusing to marry St. John but gracefully offering to travel with him to India as his sister. She maintains a strong sense of her identity in the face of her turbulent love story with Rochester. It is this mutually respectful, supportive relationship which should be aspired to, the reason that Eyre and Rochester are a duo who should be eternally appreciated.
Beatrice and Benedick (Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare) – Freya Godfrey
Beatrice and Benedick are my favourite literary couple because, for me, they are one of Shakespeare’s most realistic pairings. The other young lovers in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’; Claudio and Hero, appear to be attracted to each other on only a physical level. Beatrice and Benedick make a refreshing change from the stereotypical “love at first sight”, slushy pairings offered to readers by so many writers because they are witty and unafraid to banter between themselves. The two may argue untiringly, but this is part of the “merry war” (I.i) that demonstrates their level ground intellectually: theirs is a ‘marriage of true minds’ (Sonnet 116) rather than of good looks. The pair are in love with one another, warts and all: “I do loving nothing so well in the world as you. Is that not strange?” (IV.i)
Daisy and Gatsby (The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald) – Lucy Porter
Through the wasteland of the spoilt American dream, my favourite literary couple of all time is Daisy and Gatsby. For me, their unattained love is more tragic than that of Romeo and Juliet; ultimately killed by Tom’s raging jealousy, Gatsby is alone in death as Daisy lives on without him. Did she ever love him? Did she stay with Tom because of her social and financial dependence on him? Or is she just as much of a fool as she hoped her little girl would be? Whatever your interpretation, Fitzgerald’s beautiful poetry brings this story alive.
Edward and Florence (On Chesil Beach, Ian McEwan) – Bethany Stuart
Set in 1962, the reader is dropped into the painfully awkward wedding night of newlyweds Edward and Florence – “they lived in a time when a conversation about sexual difficulties was plainly impossible” (3). Edward is from a somewhat more rugged background than the talented and impeccably groomed Florence; but, as is the case of so many boy-meets-girl love stories, they fall in love with each other’s differences, curious of the world they’ve been invited into. Undoubtedly my favourite literary couple for their hopelessly realistic fate, exemplifying a time when lovers were mutually naïve, their innocence is wonderfully refreshing in contrast to the 21st century’s brash explicitness on matters of sex. Unfortunately, as with so many literary couples, it all goes to pot rather quickly and they go their separate ways. However, their fleeting experience together is achingly personal and is perhaps all the more romantic for its brief span as neither one characters forgets their romantic encounter.
Ron and Hermione (Harry Potter, J K Rowling) – Sophie Hill
The idea of ‘love at first sight’ has always been the professed epitome of true feeling, yet the slow burning affection between Ron and Hermione is far more fulfilling. Fortunately, they do not represent the archetypal notion of the perfect romantic couple; instead, somewhat ironically, their love is far more realistic. They may be fictional characters in a magical novel, but their idea of love is one that everyone can relate to.
The pair act out the classic case of ‘opposites-attract’: friends who possess a certain feverish combative attraction. Ron and Hermione ‘will always bicker’ and ‘there will always be rough edges there, but[…]each has something the other needs’*. As everyone knows, bickering is often a sign of suppressed feelings, feelings that will inevitably come bursting out. These petty arguments are crackling with romantic energy, which finally (thank goodness) culminate in an all-consuming fiery love. This love has its roots in friendship and they provide fuel for the dream of falling in love with your best friend. In addition to that, they give hope to gingers everywhere, that they too, can find that special somebody.
* quote taken from Crushable
Ed. by Georgina Holland – Exeposé Online Books Editor
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