Romantic Romances

Yes...today I'm talking about romantic romances.  Romantic romances are romances that are romantic, if you follow me.  (Crystal clear, my dear.)

...shutting up.

So anyway, I'm going to list my top ten favorite literary romances.  I'm sure you can guess at some of them (TSP, anyone?), but others may be a bit of a surprise. 

So here they are!

My Top Ten Favorite Romances 

1. Sir Percy and Marguerite

  

“I could not love you, dear, so much, loved I not honor more.”

This may very well be the sweetest romance in literary history.  Plus they’re actually married during the books!  I like the movie version, which shows the courtship and wedding as well as the relationship afterwards, and I love the book version, where they love each other but are too proud to admit it.  And what can beat “Richmond”?

2. Mr. Knightley and Emma

"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”

Mr. Knightley is pretty much the ideal gentleman.  He’s been a sort of mentor/father/brother (in law) to Emma since his brother married her sister.  He’s been harsh with her when she needed it even though it made her dislike him temporarily.  He’s loved her since she was thirteen!  She has improved a great deal due to him, and when he proposes to her, it's one of my favorite scenes ever.

3. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth

Take a good look- it's Mr. Darcy's second smile.  Well, maybe his third.

“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

This is one of the most famous romances in literary history.  The proud Mr. Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet help each other to overcome their flaws and fall in love.  But there’s so much more to it than that.  They really are very much alike, and they both have pride and prejudice.  Mr. Darcy loves Elizabeth Bennet, and when he realizes it, he will do anything honorable- even dealing with the man he despises- to win her.

4. Arthur Clennam and Amy Dorrit

“I am yours anywhere, everywhere!  I love you dearly!”

Amy Dorrit (aka Little Dorrit) loves Arthur Clennam.  Arthur thinks he loves someone else.  It’s a typical love story, except for Amy Dorrit.  Amy is sweet and caring.  She knows that Arthur doesn’t care for her, and she knows that even if he did, he couldn’t marry her, because she has such a low position in society.  But she doesn’t let that embitter her, and she doesn’t become proud when her fortune is abruptly changed.  She still loves Arthur Clennam with all her heart, and when he realizes that she loves him and that he loves her…their relationship is so sweet.

5. Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet

“’Tis too much!” she added, “by far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh! why is not everybody as happy?”

Jane Bennet is one of my favorite literary heroines, and I think Mr. Bingley is just the sweetest hero.  (No, I do NOT consider him dumb or airheaded.)  He loves her, but is manipulated into believing she doesn’t love him by his evil stepsisters proud, fashionable sisters.  Jane loves him as well, but she doesn’t show her feelings much.  When he goes away, she still believes the best of him and tries to hide her pain from her family.  But even she can’t hide her emotions when he proposes to her.  I prefer the ’95 version of P&P overall, but the ’05 version of this scene is beautiful.

6. Mr. Tilney and Catherine

“ To begin perfect happiness at the respective ages of twenty-six and eighteen is to do pretty well”

When pretty-ish, naïve Catherine Morland meets Henry Tilney at a ball in Bath, she falls in love with him, but he is only slightly interested in her.  Meeting her frequently, however, and seeing her obvious admiration and love for him, he falls in love with her.  Coming to stay at Mr. Tilney’s home is thrilling for Catherine, but when his father turns against her and sends her away, she thinks all her hopes are at an end.  Sadly, Jane Austen didn’t think fit to write Henry Tilney’s proposal, but we know they get a happy ending.

7. Raoul and Christine

It's COMBEFERRE!!!  Er, I mean, KILLIAN!!!

Sorry...I couldn't resist another picture 'cause I'm such a Phangirl.

 “I am the little boy who went into the sea to rescue your scarf.”

There aren’t many people who like either Raoul or Christine, and I guess I can understand their viewpoint.  In the musical, Raoul doesn’t get much of a part, and in the book, he starts out as a foolish, naïve young man.  Christine in the musical is portrayed as a weak girl, but in the book, she’s stronger and I don’t really get why people don’t like her.  But I love their romance.  Raoul is at first pretty weak, but he grows as the story goes on, seeing himself more as the protector of Christine and less as the person who’s getting what he deserves in Christine.

8. Marius and Cosette

"Pardon me, here I am. My heart is full.”

Marius is infuriating half the time, and Cosette is occasionally rather boring, but their romance is so beautiful.  The garden scene is almost as good as Richmond, and even though I don’t really believe in love at first sight, they were totally meant for each other.  This is especially evident in the 2012 movie, which has my favorite Cosette and my almost-favorite Marius.

9. Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot

“I am half agony, half hope.”

At nineteen, Anne Elliot was engaged to Captain Wentworth.  She was talked out of it by a good friend and pressured out of it by her domineering, selfish family.  Wentworth, believing that she was weak and didn’t love him much, went away in a rage, and she hasn’t seen him since.  Then he comes into her life again nine years later.  He still feels resentment towards her, and she tries to believe she doesn’t feel anything towards him.  But Wentworth can’t deny that he loves her forever, and he finally gives in and sends her what might be the most tear-inducing letter in literature.

10. Anne and Gilbert Blythe
 

All together now...everybody say, "Awwww!"

"I don't want diamond sunbursts, or marble halls. I just want...you."

Anne and Gilbert- they sort of remind me of this one video.  You'll get it as soon as you watch it.  But that aside, they probably have one of the most beautiful romances ever.  And one of the most beautiful marriages.  I'm not sure how many of you have read the sequels to Anne of Green Gables, but they get married and there are several books with them leading a happy married life.  Anne hates him at first and dreams of romance with a vengeance.  She is woken up when she learns that Gilbert is seriously sick and may not survive.  Their reunion...no. words.  Go watch the movie. (You can find all the other parts on the sidebar.) 

What are your favorite literary/period drama romances?