When discussing the meaning of a “love triangle,” most people instinctively understand the term. However, upon closer examination, surprising details emerge. Let’s delve into the facts, examples, and history of love triangles.
What Does a Love Triangle Mean?
The definition is relatively straightforward. If we consult a dictionary, we would find something like:
A love triangle is a relationship in which three people are romantically involved, where each person loves at least one of the others in the triangle.
To make this clearer, let’s look at some famous examples of love triangles.
Examples of Love Triangles in Famous Stories
Love triangles have always existed. It’s likely that even early humans experienced dramatic entanglements, though the stories of their romantic conflicts may have been lost to time—or eroded cave walls.
On a more serious note, history and storytelling have abundant examples of love triangles, appearing in religious texts, mythology, and literature:
- The Bible: Jacob, Leah, and Rachel.
- Greek Mythology: Ariadne, Theseus, and Dionysus.
- Ancient History: Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and Julius Caesar.
- Medieval Legends: Tristan and Iseult.
William Shakespeare popularized love triangles in the 1600s with plays like Twelfth Night and Romeo and Juliet. By the 1800s, classic authors such as Alexandre Dumas, Jane Austen, and Emily Brontë had elevated the trope’s prominence in literature.
In the age of film and television, love triangles became even more prominent. Among the top-grossing films of all time, three feature intense love triangles: Gone with the Wind, Titanic, and Doctor Zhivago.
Additional examples include:
- Bella’s choice between Edward and Jacob (Twilight).
- Katniss Everdeen’s choice between Peeta and Gale (The Hunger Games).
- Celaena Sardothien’s choice between Dorian and Chaol (Throne of Glass).
Why Is It Called a Love Triangle?
Although the triangle shape may suggest a polyamorous relationship (where all three people are romantically involved with one another), a love triangle typically involves two people competing for the romantic attention of a third. Alternatively, one person may find themselves torn between two different lovers.
But what if four people are competing for the same person?
Feel free to call it a “love square,” “love rectangle,” or even a “love pentagon” for all its technical complexity. However, it’s often simpler to generalize and refer to any romantic entanglement involving more than two people as a “love triangle.”
Love Triangles in Psychology
The Triangular Theory of Love, developed by psychologist Robert Sternberg, explores the concept of love in interpersonal relationships. This theory identifies three components of love:
- Intimacy
- Passion
- Commitment
The interplay of these elements can help explain the dynamics of love triangles and why they can be so emotionally charged.
Why Do Most Love Triangles End Badly?
Love triangles are often emotionally draining. They almost always lead to uncertainty, emotional conflicts, and a fear of hurting someone’s feelings. Inevitably, someone ends up heartbroken.
The complex emotions and competing desires in a love triangle can lead to jealousy, resentment, and disappointment, which often result in the relationship dissolving or ending in heartbreak for at least one party.
Why Would Someone Enjoy a Love Triangle?
This largely depends on where you stand in the triangle. Many people are drawn to love triangles because they enjoy feeling special. Imagine having two people competing to prove their devotion to you. It reinforces the idea that you are valuable and worthy of intense romantic effort.
Love triangles are also a common byproduct of infidelity. For example, they may form when someone has an affair or develops feelings for a person outside their committed relationship. They can also arise in open relationships, where one partner desires exclusivity with someone else.
The Course of a Love Triangle
In a triangular relationship, two people are emotionally and/or physically connected, but one of them is involved with someone else. These situations often start with casual interaction and gradually intensify.
There are three common ways love triangles resolve:
- One person is chosen: Two individuals end up together, leaving the third excluded.
- One person is deemed unworthy: The third party is rejected, often due to their behavior or lack of compatibility.
- Selfless withdrawal: One person steps aside to allow the others to pursue happiness together.
Trapped in a Love Triangle?
Recognize that it’s a complicated situation, and it’s okay to feel confused or overwhelmed. Open and honest communication with the other individuals involved is key. Share your feelings with the person you care about and be clear about your intentions.
Sources:
- Sternberg, R.J. Triangular Theory of Love.
- Collins English Dictionary.
