Exploring the Historical Origins of the Idealized Love Concept
In the realm of literature and culture, love has been a recurring theme, taking various forms and evolving over time. This article delves into the exploration of love in Western literature and culture, as well as the teachings of the Baha'i faith, shedding light on the complexities and nuances of this universal emotion.
John Hatcher, in his essay series, delves into the concept of raw love in Western literature and culture. However, there are no relevant search results available that provide information on which authors he cited in his work. Nonetheless, his series, an adaptation of his talk at the 2005 Association for Baha'i Studies Conference titled "The Hurí of Love," offers insightful perspectives on love.
One intriguing aspect Hatcher discusses is the tradition of courtly love, a sensual and sexual pursuit where each date becomes more daring and intense. This tradition contrasts with the Baha'i teachings, which define Baha'i marriage as a commitment of both parties to each other, with the purpose of becoming loving companions and comrades for time and eternity. The Baha'i teachings propose a lasting love based on the inner spiritual character of the beloved, resulting in a physical and spiritual union that transcends the physical and lasts forever.
Denis de Rougemont, in his book "Love in the Western World," explores the evolution of romantic love in Western literature and culture. He perceives that behind the neurotic myth of ecstatic love lies a deeper, unconscious desire for the transformative experience of death. De Rougemont uses medieval romance as a paradigm to understand contemporary opinions and beliefs about love, asserting that modern love originates from the medieval idea that love flourishes when it is forbidden or hindered by insurmountable obstacles.
In medieval romance, the most common obstacle is the beloved being already married to another man. The elimination of obstacles and the ability to be together daily would quickly destroy the intensity and passion of love, according to de Rougemont. This idea is reflected in the third love story paradigm often depicted in literature and media, a tragic ending, where the lovers die or commit suicide, fitting de Rougemont's thesis of love's connection to a longing for death.
The essays argue that the tragic love stories, while often romanticized, are not necessarily desirable or attainable, as they often end in death or suicide and do not offer a lasting or healthy relationship. They also critique the "Seinfeld syndrome," a term used to describe a universal serial love cycle in which lovers fall out of love and search for new relationships, often due to minuscule flaws in their partners. This portrayal of love, according to the essays, is not positive or realistic, as it portrays an endless sequence of episodic relationships that often leave the lovers and their victims in a state of decline.
In contrast, the Baha'i teachings propose that a lasting love can be found through understanding and commitment to each other, resulting in a mature and lasting bond that can endure hardships and create a permanent bond. This bond is based on a mutual bonding of mind and heart, with both parties committing to each other and taking care to deeply understand each other's character.
An interesting cultural note is that in French, an orgasm or post-orgasm sensation is called "petit mort," or "little death." This term underscores the profound impact love can have on an individual, transcending the physical and touching the spiritual realm.
In conclusion, love in Western literature and culture, as well as in the Baha'i faith, presents a complex and multifaceted exploration of this universal emotion. From the intense passion of courtly love to the tragic endings of medieval romance, and from the spiritual bond of Baha'i marriage to the critique of modern portrayals of love, this journey through love offers valuable insights into the human experience.
