Love thwarted by outside forces is a common literary theme. It can be found in many cultures and time periods - from Europe, India and China through South America to the Middle East. Often these tragic relationships are forbidden by parents, existing marriages, differences in social or financial status, warring countries, or fairytale barriers.
We will highlight five stories of love made impossible by physical distance - stories of longing, heartache, and yearning in European literature and art - a feeling a lot of us might get to know well in these times of quarantine and social distancing. Today we bring you the first two, and next week we'll feature two more love stories.
Pyramus & Thisbe
The story of Pyramus and Thisbe is often seen as the blueprint for the classic play Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare coined the term star-crossed lovers - Pyramus and Thisbe were prime examples.
Pyramus and Thisbe live in neighboring houses. Their parents have a long-standing quarrel with each other. This dispute does not prevent Pyramus and Thisbe from falling madly in love with each other. Their only way to communicate is through a small crack in the wall adjoining their houses, through which they profess their love for each other.