Romeo and Juliet
Perhaps the most famous couple for everyone. The story is based on an Italian tale that became famous for William Shakespeare tragedy (about 1595).
Two families are one against the other: Montecchi (Montagues Romeo's family) and Capuleti (Capulets Juliet's family).
Story is staged in Verona an Italian city: the two youngs want to marry but it is impossible for their families relationship, so a secret marriage is arranged.
Everything is well until Romeo is challenged in a duel by Tybalt (a Juliet's cousin). Romeo refuses the duel with Tybalt because they are in the same family now, so the best Romeo's friend Mercutio is involved in the duel instead of Romeo and he is mortally wounded.
Romeo is exiled from Verona, Juliet is desperate and goes to Friar Lawrence. He gives her a drug to put her into a death-like coma for forty-two hours. Everyone thinks Juliet is dead but a messenger from Friar should advise Romeo about the trick. The messenger does not meet Romeo and so Romeo kill himself with poison thinking in Juliet's death.
Juliet wakes up, and discovers the tragedy so decide to kill herself with her lover's sword and reach his lover forever.
[Francesco Hayez: The Kiss]
Paolo and Francesca
Another famous couple is Paolo and Francesca make 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 (see below).
When the two lovers are discovered they are killed by Gianciotto.
[Joseph Anton Koch: Paolo and Francesca discoverd by Gianciotto]
[Anselm Feuerbach, Paolo and Francesca]
Lancelot and Guinevere
Lancelot is one of King Arthur's knight (Round Table), Guinevere is King Arthur's wife and famous for her love affair with Lancelot (according to Chrétien de Troyes: Lancelot, the King of the Cart).
Guinevere is kidnapped by Meleagant (son of King Gorre). She is brought to a mysterious and dangerous land where no one can escape live. Many knights are ready to rescue Guinever, among them a mysterious knight that is Lancelot.
During the journey Lancelot must face many difficulties, among these the “Sword Bridge” build as a sharp blade hanging on deep and dangerous waters.
Lancelot with the help of a magic ring arrives in Gorre and sets free Guinevere that grateful to Lancelot fall in love with him.
[Dante Gabriel Rossetti Arthur's Tomb - The Last Meeting of Lancelot and Guinevere]
Do you think another couple should be included in the top five?
Post a comment and I will very pleased of your contribution.
