Love is said to be the most inspiring feeling. Throughout history, love has inspired poets, writers and singers and some love stories even triggered wars between countries. But there are several love stories that are truly extraordinary and that remain in our memory despite the passage of time. Here's just a few that are still touching today.
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#1 Bonnie and Clyde
They were thieves, killers, and gangsters, but their unconditional love inspired movies and even songs. However, during their time,the couple were not considered a very loving and romantic couple. Lovers and criminals, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow traveled the Central United States during the Great Depression and killed several police officers and civilians. They were caught by the police in Bienville Parish, Louisiana in 1934 and killed in a shootout that left several police officers dead as well. The pair left written orders that they wanted to be buried together but Bonnie's family did not allow it. Today their romance is admired because of the bond they had for one another despite their occupation and reputations.
#2 Paris and Helen of Sparta
In Greek mythology, the forbidden love between Paris and Helen caused the downfall of Troy. Paris had to choose which of the three Goddesses were the fairest, Athena, Hera or Aphrodite, whom he chose. As his reward he was given the most beautiful woman in the world, this woman was known as Helen of Sparta, who happened to be the wife of king Menelaus. As Paris and Helen elope together, the war between Sparta and Troy begins. The tale ends in a tragic way, with Paris dying in war and Helen returning to Sparta,leaving the city of Troy in ruins.
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#3 Napoleon and Josephine
Napoleon and Josephine had a very turbulent love for one another. Soon after their marriage, Napoleon had to leave for war in the Italian Army. During his absence, Josephine starts an affair with a lieutenant. Napoleon found this out and returned to kill the lieutenant. Soon it becomes clear that Josephine could not bear children, which he wanted badly, and he divorces the cheating wife. Be he never forgets his first true love. He marries Marie-Louise of Austria immediately after, but his love for Josephine never dies. Napoleon's last words are said to be "France, the Army, the Head of the Army, and Josephine."
#4 Orpheus and Eurydice
According to Greek mythology, Orpheus is very good with his harp and is able to soothe even the wildest of beasts, including humans, with his beautiful music. When his wife, Eurydice, dies from a snake bite, he goes to the underworld to bring her back, carrying nothing but his harp. He is allowed by the Gods to take his wife back under one condition. He may never look back. However, when they reach the gates of Hades, he looks back to see if Eurydice was behind him. As a result, she is taken back to the world of death.
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#5 Cleopatra and Mark Antony
The love story between the Egyptian pharaoh Cleopatra and Mark Antony is widely known for its dramatic end. Both committed suicide after they were defeated by the Romans led by Octavian. After Mark Antony's suicide, Cleopatra unsuccessfully tried to charm Octavian. It is widely accepted that she killed herself by by inducing an asp to bite her. Cleopatra and Mark Antony are supposedly buried together, but the location of their tomb is unknown.
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#6 Alexander I of Serbia and Draga MaĊĦin
The relationship between the young King, 16, and the much older widow Draga caused many controversies in the country of Serbia. She was thirteen years older than he was. Despite opposition from everyone, including his own mother, Alexander makes Draga his Queen. His mother is banished from the country for opposing the marriage. After a false pregnancy scandal, the international reputation of the country is affected and a group of military officers begin to conspire against the couple. In 1903, they invaded the Royal Palace and assassinated them both.
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#7 Tristan and Iseult
Iseult is supposed to marry Tristan's uncle, King Mark. But on the way to the grand wedding the two are given a love potion that starts to take effect after she has wed King Mark. They begin a secret affair behind King Mark and he catches them in the act, but does not kill either one. Instead, he banished Tristan from the kingdom and takes Iseult back home with him. Tristan then finds a woman and marries her, hoping to forget his true love. But he dies from a broken heart and on his deathbed he cries out the name of his one true love, Iseult.
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#8 Romeo and Juliet
"Oh, Romeo, oh Romeo, where for art thou dear Romeo?" Probably the most famous love story of all was written by William Shakespeare. The story displays a major influence of ancient tragic love stories. The formula has been copied again and again because of the timelessness of the love between the two teenagers. The love between Romeo and Juliet is forbidden because of the feud between their families. Romeo believes Juliet killed herself for him and he drinks poison, not knowing that she is still alive. When finding him dead, she kills herself with a sword.
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#9 Lancelot and Guinevere
Guinevere is married to King Arthur who, but she is madly in love with Lancelot, one of Arthur's most loyal knights. When Arthur finds out about their affair, the Knights of the Round Table split into two groups, supporting either Arthur or Lancelot. After the two men fight each other repeatedly, Guinevere is forced to return to King Arthur. The fighting destroys the Round Table. Guinevere is devastated for being the cause of its destruction and enters a convent. Lancelot enters a hermitage and eventually becomes a priest.
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#10 Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
The love between this couple produced one of the most iconic structures known to man, the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal were a Mughal Royal couple who shared a great marriage until Mumtaz died while giving birth to their 14th child. Devastated by his wife's death, he goes into a deep depression.His sadness inspired him to build an architectural masterpiece to serve as a resting place for his beloved wife. Shortly after completing the Taj Mahal, Shah got ill and was overthrown by his eldest son. He spent the rest of his life on house arrest and was buried next to his wife.
