Three of the Most Famous Italian Couples of all Time
Posted on: Feb 12, 2009
In keeping with the Valentine’s week theme of amore, today we recognize three famous Italian couples, known not only for their passion and unyielding devotion, but for the trials, obstacles and tribulations they went through to be together.
1. Paolo e Francesca
Described by Dante Alighieri in what is considered to be the central epic poem of Italian literature, Paolo e Francesca are ill-fated lovers we meet in Dante’s Second Circle of Hell. Francesca confesses to committing adultery with her brother-in-law (Paolo) and is killed by her jealous husband. (Ouch. I’m guessing divorce wasn’t an option.)
2. Romeo e Giulietta
Most of us studied these star-cross’d lovers in junior high, but the Shakespearean tale of first love’s fierce devotion is a story for the ages. And while we know them as Romeo and Juliette, Romeo e Giulietta were, in fact from Verona, making them full-blooded Italians, rather than 16th Century Englishmen.
3. Renzo e Lucia
Immortalized through the words of Alessandro Manzoni, Renzo and Lucia are the devoted young couple who overcomes jealousy, famine, plague and war to reunite and be married. Considered one of the most widely read novels in Italian, I Promessi Sposi, or The Betrothed begins in an unknown village in Lombardy near Como.
In addition to the three afore-mentioned couples, I’m crazy about Guinevere and Lancelot, Robin Hood and Maid Marion and Kermit and Ms. Piggy … Who are some of your favorite couples of all time?
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Happy Love Thursday!
My parents.
Awe … that is sweet!
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funny…i just was as a bridal shower this week and a game was ‘how many famous couples can you name’. seriously, everyone was thinking of a billion of them until the paper was passed around. I only got 7 in the time limit! WHAT?!?! completely went blank.
What a fun game, though!! I imagine it is hard to come up with names when you are put on the spot!
Heloise and Abelard . . .although I have to admit, I’ve never actually read the history about them, always just kind of vaguely heard it. But their love apparently endured for the decades they were separated .. .
I am intrigued!
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Shrek and Fiona! Can you tell I’ve got kids in my house? Great post, I love the art.
I can’t believe I overlooked Shrek and Fiona. That is overlooking Mickey and Minnie… oh wait, I did overlook them. Where was my mind??
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How about Jamie and Claire from the Diana Galbadon novels!
Darcy and Elizabeth
Ok, ok … a few more good ones to add to the list!
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This is a nice list, this is an interesting topic, I wonder what other countries in europe have famous couples.
I don’t know, but it would be interesting to find out. Why don’t you blog about that for us?
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These are a bunch of teens gone wild. I vote for Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
LOL. I can always count on you for a laugh, Judith! Good one.
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