1. Romeo and Juliet

This is probably
the most famous lovers ever. This couple has become
a synonym for love itself. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. Their
love story
is very tragic. The tale of two teenagers from two feuding families
who fall in love at first sight and then marry, become true lovers and
then risk it all for their love. To take your own life for your husband
or wife is definitely a sign of true love. Their "untimely deaths"
ultimately unite their feuding households.
2. Cleopatra and Mark Antony
The true love story of Antony and Cleopatra is one of the most
memorable, intriguing and moving
of all times. The story of these two historical characters had later
been dramatized by William Shakespeare and is still staged all over the
world. The
relationship
of Antony and Cleopatra is a true test of love. They fell in love at
first sight. The relationship between these two powerful people put the
country of Egypt in a powerful position. But their love affair outraged
the Romans who were wary of the growing powers of the Egyptians. Despite
all the threats, Anthony and Cleopatra got married. It is said that
while fighting a battle against Romans, Antony got false news of
Cleopatra's death. Shattered, he fell on his sword. When Cleopatra
learned about Antony 's death, she was shocked. And she took her own
life. Great love demands great sacrifices.
3. Lancelot and Guinevere
The tragic love story of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere is probably
one of the best-known stories of Arthurian Legend.
Lancelot fall in love with Queen Guinevere, King Arthur's wife. Their
love grew slowly, as Guinevere kept Lancelot away from her. Eventually,
however, her love and passion overpowered her and the pair became
lovers. One night, Sir Agravain and Sir Modred, King Arthur's nephew,
led a band of 12 knights to Guinevere's chamber where they burst in upon
the lovers. Discovered, Sir Lancelot made a fighting escape, but poor
Guinevere was not so lucky. She was seized and condemned to burn to
death for her adultery. Fear not. Sir Lancelot returned several days
later to rescue his beloved Guinevere from the fire. This whole sad
affair divided the Knights of the Round Table and weakened Arthur's
kingdom. Poor Lancelot ended his days as a lowly hermit and Guinevere
became a nun at Amesbury where she died.
4. Tristan and Isolde
The tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde has been told and
retold through various stories and manuscripts. It takes place during
medieval times during the reign of King Arthur. Isolde of Ireland was
the daughter of the King of Ireland. She was betrothed to King Mark of
Cornwall. King Mark sent his nephew, Tristan, to Ireland to escort
Isolde back to Cornwall. During the voyage, Isolde and Tristan fell
forever in love. Isolde did marry Mark of Cornwall, but could not help
but love Tristan. The love affair continued after the marriage. When
King Mark finally learned of the affair, he forgave Isolde, but Tristan
was banned from Cornwall. Tristan went to Brittany. There he met Iseult
of Brittany. He was attracted to her because of the similarity of her
name to his true love. He married her, but did not consummate the
marriage because of his love for the "true" Isolde. After falling ill,
he sent for Isolde in hopes that she would be able to cure him. If she
agreed to come, the returning ship's sails would be white, or the sails
would be black if she did not agree. Iseult, seeing the white sails,
lied to Tristan and told him that the sails were black. He died of grief
before Isolde could reach him. Isolde died soon after of a broken
heart.
5. Paris and Helena

Recounted in Homer's Iliad,
the story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan War
is a Greek heroic legend, combining fact and fiction. Helen of Troy is
considered one the most beautiful women in all literature. She was
married to Menelaus, king of Sparta. Paris, son of King Priam of Troy,
fell in love with Helen and abducted her, taking her back to Troy. The
Greeks assembled a great army, led by Menelaus's brother, Agamemnon, to
retrieve Helen. Troy was destroyed. Helen returned safely to Sparta,
where she lived happily with Menelaus for the rest of her life.
9. Paolo and Francesca
Paolo and Francesca are made famous by the Dante's masterpiece
"Divine Comedy".
It is a true story: Francesca is married with Gianciotto Malatesta an
awful person, but she has Gianciotto's brother, Paolo, as lover. The
love between them grows when they read together a book (according to
Dante) about Lancelot and Guinevere. When the two lovers are discovered
they are killed by Gianciotto.
10. Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler
"Gone with the wind" can be identified as one of the immortal pieces of literary works in this world.
Margaret Mitchell's famous work has chronicled the love and hate relationship between Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. Proving that timing is everything,
Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler
never seem to be quite in synch. Throughout the epic story, this
tempestuous twosome experience passion but not permanence, and their
stormy marriage reflects the surrounding Civil War battles. The
flirtatious, promiscuous, and perpetually pursued Scarlett can't make up
her mind between her many suitors. When she finally decides to settle
on being happy with Rhett, her fickle nature has already driven him
away. Hope springs eternal in our devious heroine, however, and the
novel ends with Scarlett proclaiming, "Tomorrow is another day."
11. Jane Eyre and Rochester

In
Charlotte Bronte's famous tale, friendless characters find a
cure for loneliness in each other's company. Jane is an abused orphan
employed as a governess to the charge of an abrasive, but very rich
Edward Rochester. The improbable pair grow close as Rochester reveals a
tender heart beneath his gruff exterior. He does not, however, reveal
his penchant for polygamy - on their wedding day, a horrified Jane
discovers he is already married. Heartbroken, Jane runs away, but later
returns after a dreadful fire has destroyed Rochester's mansion, killed
his wife, and left him blind. Love triumphs, and the two reunite and
live out their days in shared bliss.
12. Layla and Majnun

A leading medieval poet of Iran,
Nizami of Ganje is known especially for his
romantic poem Layla and Majnun Inspired by an Arab legend,
Layla and Majnun is a tragic tale about unattainable love.
It had been told and retold for centuries, and depicted in manuscripts
and other media such as ceramics for nearly as long as the poem has been
penned. Layla and Qays fall in love while at school. Their love is
observed and they are soon prevented from seeing one another. In misery,
Qays banishes himself to the desert to live among and be consoled by
animals. He neglects to eat and becomes emaciated. Due to his eccentric
behavior, he becomes known as Majnun (madman). There he befriends an
elderly Bedouin who promises to win him Layla’s hand through warfare.
Layla’s tribe is defeated, but her father continues to refuse her
marriage to Majnun because of his mad behavior, and she is married to
another. After the death of Layla’s husband, the old Bedouin facilitates
a meeting between Layla and Majnun, but they are never fully reconciled
in life. Upon death, they are buried side by side. The story is often
interpreted as an allegory of the soul’s yearning to be united with the
divine.