11 Most Admired Couples In The World Of Literature

Literature, over the time, has provided the world with the couples and relationships which cannot be erased from the literary history. Even after decades of getting published into life, these couples are still looked up to by the readers.

Here is a list of the most iconic literary couples:-

#1. Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’ Hara (Gone With The Wind)- Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind presents the iconic couple of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’ Hara. What made the couple memorable in the history of literature is that they were unlike any regular romanticized couple! While Butler was a rogue anti- hero, Scarlett O’ Hara was the anti- heroine with gumption.

(Image Courtesy: The Odyssey Online)

#2. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) – One of the most popular couples in the history of literature, Elizabeth and Darcy have set exceptional standards for couples throughout the ages. Theirs is not a hackneyed story of falling heads over heels in love at a blink of an eye. Their story unfolds gradually and involves a sense of character building while they both let go of their pride and prejudice and end up getting together eventually.

(Image Courtesy: Bustle)

#3. Antony and Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra) - Written by William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra’s love story ends tragically. While the couple formed a grand ruling alliance together, they were seen on par with the divinity by many. However, it was while Mark Antony had set out for the battle with Octavian that he received the false news of Cleopatra’s death which drove him to suicide. Cleopatra, on getting the news, killed herself too by sneaking in a snake in a basket.

(Image Courtesy: The Red List)

#4. Catherine and Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights) - A Gothic Romance, Catherine and Heathcliff’s story has been traced right from their childhood in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Though Catherine finds herself unable to marry Heathcliff due to their different class statuses, she ends up marrying Edgar Linton. However, this does not stop Catherine from proclaiming that Heathcliff was her sole and true love. Unfortunately, the couple was too star-crossed to get a happy ending.

(Image Courtesy: PBS)

#5. Andrei Bolkonsky and Natasha Rostova (War and Peace) - While Natasha Rostova is a lively character who is full of life, Andrei Bolkonsky is a skeptic. However, their story gets a wild turn when Natasha Rostova gives into a transient passion for Anatole Kurgan. It is too late before Natasha Rostova attempts to set things straight.

(Image Courtesy: Pinterest)

#6. Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre) - Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre is a bildungsroman of all sorts. Jane Eyre’s relationship with Mr. Rochester leads into the intricacies of the novel. While Jane Eyre, an orphan, goes on to work at the Thornfield Hall as a governess, Mr. Rochester is her employer and the owner of the estate. Their love story develops gradually, and Mr. Rochester eventually proposes to Jane. Things go awry when Jane Eyre discovers that Mr. Rochester is still married.

(Image Courtesy: YouTube)

#7. Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza (Love in the Time of Cholera)- Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza depict how love can span through decades. The love proclamation made by Florentino Aziza after Fermina Daza’s husband, Dr. Urbino’s death was a breakthrough moment which defied the notions of ageism.

(Image Courtesy: Jorge Coaguilla)

#8. Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) - What makes this couple memorable is that it mirrors the modern day decadent relationship. The plot revolves around Jay Gatsby’s attempt to win Daisy Buchanan by acquiring a high social stature. Gatsby's delusional idealization of Daisy, the relationship of these characters is based on materialism.

(Image Courtesy: The Kent Ridge Common)

#9. Duchess and Antonio (Duchess of Malfi) – A tragic and macabre plot, John Webster’s Duchess of Malfi deals with multiple thematic elements. However, it is all somehow linked to the Duchess marrying Antonio beyond her class and status. Duchess and Antonio move beyond the power, estate, and class to marry for love. The couple becomes subject to Duchess’ brothers and gets killed eventually.

(Image Courtesy: The Consulting Detective)

#10. Estella and Pip (Great Expectations) - Estella and Pip, though do not end up together in Charles Dicken’s Great Expectations, the couple is one of the most iconic one in the literary history. While Estella rejects the idea of love throughout the novel, Pip pursues her even more after she gets married to Bentley Drummle for money.

(Image Courtesy: AceShowbiz)

#11. Hellena and Willmore (The Rover) - Aphra Behn, first English woman writer, created characters who were way ahead of their times. The commencement of relationship between Hellena and Willmore is quite a liberating moment. It is through Willmore that Hellena finds an escape from the oppressive norms and traditions.

(Image Courtesy: The Times)

Let us know about your favorite literary couple. We would love to hear from you. Kindly use the comment box to share your thoughts and opinions with us.