Lovers, Famous

Lovers, Famous

Abélard and Héloïse

(Pierre, 1079–1142) (c. 1098–1164) persecuted 12th-century lovers. [Fr. Hist.: Century Cyclopedia, 14]

Atala and Chactas

Indian lovers whose passion goes unconsummated. [Fr. Lit.: Atala]

Aucassin and Nicolette

the love story of 12th-century France. [Fr. Lit.: Aucassin and Nicolette]

Browning, Robert, and Elizabeth Barrett

(1812–1889) (1806–1861) 19th-century love one of most celebrated of literary romances. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 139]

Celadon and Astree

bywords for lovers in pastoral poetry. [Br. Lit.: Celadon, Walsh Modern, 91]

Ceyx and Halcyone

to perpetuate love, changed into kingfishers after former’s drowning. [Rom. Lit.: Metamorphoses]

Daphnis and Chloë

innocent though passionate love of two children. [Gk. Lit.: Daphnis and Chloë, Magill I, 184]

Darby and Joan

inseparable old-fashioned couple. [Br. Lit.: Espy, 335]

Deirdre and Noisi

celebrated lovers of the Ulster Cycle. [Irish Legend: Benét, 259–260]

Della and Jim

each sacrifices greatly for other’s Christmas present. [Am. Lit.: “The Gift of the Magi” in Benét, 395]

Edward VIII

(1894–1972) and Wallis Warfield Simpson (1896—) British king abdicates throne to marry divorcee (1936). [Br. Hist.: NCE, 835]

Helen and Paris

their elopement caused the Trojan war. [Gk. Myth.: Century Classical, 525–528, 815–817]

Hero and Leander

love affair on the Hellespont tragically ends with latter’s drowning. [Gk. Lit.: Hero and Leander: Br. Lit.: Hero and Leander]

Jacob and Rachel

he worked fourteen years to win her hand. [O.T.: Genesis 29:18]

Lescaut, Manon, and the Chevalier des Grieux

he accompanies Manon to Louisiana when she is exiled for prostitution. [Fr. Lit.: Manon Lescaut]

lovebirds

small parrots, traditional symbol of affection. [Am. Culture: Misc.]

Oliver and Jenny

rapturous college relationship leads to blissful marriage. [Am. Lit.: Love Story]

Petrarch and Laura

lovers in spirit only. [Ital. Lit.: Plumb, 26–32]

Rinaldo and Armida

virgin witch seeks revenge but falls in love. [Ital. Lit.: Jerusalem Delivered]

Romeo and Juliet

young love springs up amidst family feud. [Br. Lit.: Romeo and Juliet]

Tristan and Iseult

their pact of undying love has tragic consequences. [Medieval Legend: Tristan and Iseult; Ger. Opera: Tristan and Iseult]

turtle doves

adoring couple, building their nest. [O.T.: Song of Songs 2:12]

Zhivago, Yuri, and Lara

passion stirs between idealistic doctor and nurse during Russian revolution. [Russ. Lit.: Doctor Zhivago]