Romantic Love in the Victorian Era

What was the notion of Romantic Love in the Victorian Era? The Victorian Era, spanning from 1837 to 1901 during the reign of Queen Victoria, was a time of profound change and development in British society. The era is often associated with the height of the British Empire, remarkable industrial advancements, and a strict moral code that shaped nearly every aspect of life, including literature, art, and social customs. Understanding the historical context of this period provides insight into the complexities of Victorian life, including how people experienced and expressed romantic love.

The Reign of Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria’s reign, which began in 1837 when she was just 18 years old, lasted for 63 years and is one of the longest reigns in British history. This period, known as the Victorian Era, was marked by a sense of national pride and confidence, particularly because of Britain’s dominance on the global stage. The Pax Britannica, or “British Peace,” characterized much of the 19th century, as Britain exerted considerable influence over world affairs, supported by its vast empire and powerful navy.

Queen Victoria herself became a symbol of stability and morality. Her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was portrayed as a model of love, devotion, and duty, which set the tone for the period’s values. After Prince Albert’s death in 1861, Queen Victoria mourned him deeply, wearing black for the remainder of her life. This deep personal grief resonated with the Victorian emphasis on family, marriage, and moral rectitude.

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century and continued into the Victorian Era, brought about unprecedented changes in British society. The shift from agrarian economies to industrial production led to the growth of cities and the rise of a new middle class. Urbanization created both opportunities and challenges; while many people found work in factories and industries, they also faced overcrowded living conditions, poor sanitation, and the harsh realities of industrial labor.

These societal changes influenced the literature of the time, as writers grappled with the tensions between traditional values and the emerging modern world. Novels like Charles Dickens’s “Hard Times” and Elizabeth Gaskell’s “North and South” explored the impact of industrialization on individuals and communities, highlighting issues such as class disparity, gender roles, and the human cost of progress.

The Industrial Revolution also disrupted established gender roles. As men were increasingly employed in industrial work, the idea of the man as the sole breadwinner became more pronounced. At the same time, middle-class women were often relegated to the domestic sphere, responsible for managing the household and raising children. However, this period also saw the beginnings of the feminist movement, as women began to advocate for greater rights and opportunities, challenging the constraints of traditional gender roles.

Social and Moral Codes

Victorian society was governed by a rigid set of social and moral codes, often referred to as the “Cult of Domesticity” or “Victorian morality.” These codes were deeply rooted in Christian values and emphasized virtues such as chastity, modesty, and self-discipline, particularly for women. The ideal woman was seen as pure, submissive, and devoted to her family, while men were expected to be strong, honorable, and the protectors of their households.

These social and moral expectations had a profound impact on how romantic love was portrayed in literature and art. Romantic relationships were often depicted within the framework of marriage, which was considered the ultimate goal of love. Pre-marital relationships were heavily scrutinized, and any deviation from the moral code—such as infidelity, unchastity, or divorce—was met with severe social consequences.

In literature, these themes were explored with great intensity. Novels like Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre” and Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” delved into the complexities of love, duty, and morality, often highlighting the struggles of individuals who sought to balance personal desires with societal expectations. The tension between individual freedom and social constraints became a central theme in many Victorian works, reflecting the broader anxieties of the time.

However, it is essential to note that while Victorian society emphasized morality and propriety, there was also a fascination with the forbidden and the illicit. This is evident in the popularity of Gothic novels and the exploration of darker themes in literature, such as madness, sexuality, and the supernatural. The contrast between the public emphasis on moral virtue and the private curiosity about transgression adds depth to the understanding of Victorian social dynamics.

The Victorian Era was a period of remarkable transformation, where industrial progress, social change, and strict moral codes coexisted, often in tension with one another. Queen Victoria’s long reign provided a sense of continuity and stability, even as Britain underwent rapid industrialization and urbanization. The rigid social and moral codes of the time dictated behavior and influenced literature, particularly in the portrayal of romantic love, which was often confined within the boundaries of duty, marriage, and morality. At the same time, the era was marked by a curiosity about the darker aspects of human nature, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of Victorian society.

Romantic Love in the Victorian Era: Literature

The Idealization of Love

Victorian literature often idealized romantic love, portraying it as a pure and noble emotion. This idealization was influenced by the Romantic movement, which preceded the Victorian era and emphasized the importance of emotion and individualism.

Example: “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë

In “Jane Eyre,” Charlotte Brontë presents a complex portrayal of romantic love. The relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester is marked by intense emotion and moral dilemmas, reflecting the Victorian ideal of love as a transformative and redemptive force. Jane’s love for Rochester is not merely a romantic infatuation but a profound connection that challenges societal norms and personal integrity. The novel explores themes of independence, morality, and the struggle for self-respect, making it a rich text for understanding Victorian romantic ideals.

The Role of Women in Romantic Relationships

Victorian literature often depicted women as passive and submissive in romantic relationships, reflecting the societal expectations of the time. However, some authors challenged these norms, presenting strong and independent female characters.

Example: “Middlemarch” by George Eliot

In “Middlemarch,” George Eliot (the pen name of Mary Ann Evans) presents a nuanced portrayal of romantic love and marriage. The character of Dorothea Brooke is a strong and independent woman who seeks a meaningful and equal partnership, challenging the traditional gender roles of the time. Dorothea’s marriage to Casaubon is a critique of the intellectual and emotional constraints placed on women, while her eventual relationship with Will Ladislaw represents a more progressive and egalitarian vision of love. Eliot’s exploration of Dorothea’s inner life and moral struggles provides a deep and critical examination of Victorian gender dynamics.

The Influence of Social Class

Social class played a significant role in Victorian literature, influencing the portrayal of romantic relationships. Marriages were often depicted as strategic alliances rather than purely romantic unions, reflecting the importance of social status and economic stability.

Example: “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

Although published just before the Victorian era, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen continued to influence Victorian literature. The novel explores the impact of social class on romantic relationships, with the characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy navigating the complexities of love and societal expectations. Elizabeth’s initial prejudice against Darcy’s perceived arrogance and Darcy’s struggle with his feelings for someone of a lower social standing highlight the intricate dance between love and class. Austen’s sharp social commentary and keen understanding of human nature make “Pride and Prejudice” a timeless exploration of romantic love and societal constraints.

The Evolution of Romantic Love in Victorian Literature

Early Victorian Literature

Early Victorian literature often adhered to traditional portrayals of romantic love, emphasizing moral virtue and social propriety. Novels of this period frequently depicted love as a reward for virtuous behavior and adherence to societal norms.

Example: “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens

In “David Copperfield,” Charles Dickens presents a traditional portrayal of romantic love, with the protagonist’s journey towards finding true love intertwined with his moral and personal development. David’s relationships with Dora and Agnes reflect different aspects of Victorian romantic ideals. Dora represents youthful infatuation and the challenges of an unequal partnership, while Agnes embodies the ideal of a supportive and morally upright companion. Dickens’ exploration of these relationships provides insight into the Victorian values of love, duty, and personal growth.

Mid-Victorian Literature

As the Victorian era progressed, literature began to explore more complex and realistic portrayals of romantic love. Authors delved into the psychological and emotional aspects of relationships, presenting love as a multifaceted and often challenging experience.

Example: “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë

“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë is a prime example of mid-Victorian literature’s exploration of the darker and more complex aspects of romantic love. The tumultuous relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine is marked by passion, obsession, and tragedy, challenging the idealized portrayals of love in earlier literature. Brontë’s novel delves into themes of revenge, social class, and the destructive power of love, presenting a raw and unflinching examination of human emotions. The intense and often destructive love between Heathcliff and Catherine serves as a counterpoint to more conventional romantic narratives, highlighting the complexities and contradictions of Victorian romantic ideals.

Late Victorian Literature

Late Victorian literature continued to evolve, with authors increasingly questioning and critiquing traditional notions of romantic love. This period saw the emergence of more diverse and unconventional portrayals of relationships, reflecting the changing social and cultural landscape.

Example: “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” by Thomas Hardy

In “Tess of the d’Urbervilles,” Thomas Hardy presents a critical examination of romantic love and societal norms. The novel’s portrayal of Tess’s relationships and the consequences of societal judgment highlights the complexities and injustices of Victorian attitudes towards love and morality. Tess’s tragic love story with Angel Clare and her victimization by Alec d’Urberville serve as a powerful critique of the rigid moral codes and social hypocrisies of the time. Hardy’s exploration of Tess’s inner turmoil and the harsh realities of her life provides a poignant and thought-provoking commentary on the limitations and injustices of Victorian society.

The Impact of Victorian Literature on Modern Perceptions of Romantic Love

The themes and tropes of Victorian literature have left an indelible mark on the portrayal of romantic love in modern literature and media. The complex and often conflicted depictions of love, gender roles, and social class in Victorian works continue to resonate, reflecting the lasting influence of this era on contemporary culture.

Excerpt from Wuthering Heights:

“I cannot express it; but surely you and everybody have a notion that there is, or should be, an existence of yours beyond you. What were the use of my creation, if I were entirely contained here? My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff’s miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning: my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it. My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He’s always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being.”

Love in Victorian Historical Context:

1. The Idealization of Love and the Romantic Sublime:

Catherine’s speech idealizes love, placing it beyond the realm of ordinary human experience and into the domain of the sublime—a concept deeply rooted in Romanticism, which influenced the Victorian Era. Her love for Heathcliff is depicted as eternal and elemental, likened to “the eternal rocks beneath.” This metaphor not only reflects the permanence and necessity of her feelings but also suggests that her love is a fundamental aspect of her existence, much like nature’s foundational elements. This idealization contrasts sharply with her description of her love for Edgar Linton, which she acknowledges as mutable and temporal (“like the foliage in the woods”). This juxtaposition reflects the Romantic ideal that true love transcends the physical and temporal, existing on a more profound, spiritual level.

2. The Concept of Identity in Love:

Catherine’s declaration, “I am Heathcliff,” is perhaps one of the most famous lines in English literature, and it exemplifies the Victorian exploration of identity and selfhood within the context of love. Her speech suggests that her identity is inextricably linked to Heathcliff’s, to the point where she perceives no distinction between them. This reflects a more profound, almost metaphysical connection that goes beyond mere romantic attachment. In the Victorian context, where social roles and individual identities were often rigidly defined by class and gender, Catherine’s speech can be seen as a radical assertion of a shared identity that defies societal norms. This fusion of identities in love was a recurring theme in Victorian literature, reflecting both the era’s ideals of love as transformative and its anxieties about the loss of individual autonomy within relationships.

3. Love and Suffering:

Catherine’s speech also highlights the Victorian notion that love is closely tied to suffering. She acknowledges that her great miseries have been tied to Heathcliff’s miseries, indicating that love, in her view, is as much about shared pain as it is about shared joy. The idea that love involves a deep, almost inevitable suffering was common in Victorian literature, where relationships were often portrayed as fraught with emotional turmoil and sacrifice. This reflects the broader cultural context of the time, where romantic relationships were constrained by societal expectations, leading to internal conflicts and often tragic outcomes.

4. The Influence of Social Class:

While this particular passage focuses more on the spiritual and emotional dimensions of love, the broader context of Catherine’s speech is deeply influenced by social class. Her conflict between marrying Edgar Linton, who represents wealth and social stability, and her deep, tumultuous bond with Heathcliff, who is socially inferior, reflects the Victorian preoccupation with class distinctions. Catherine’s dilemma underscores how love was often entangled with social status and material concerns, a theme that runs throughout Wuthering Heights and many other Victorian novels. The tension between romantic love and social class was a significant issue in the Victorian era, where marriages were often arranged for economic or social gain rather than love.

Emily Brontë’s depiction of love in “Wuthering Heights” through Catherine’s speech reflects the complex and often contradictory nature of love in the Victorian Era. The language she uses elevates love to a sublime, almost mystical experience, while also acknowledging the intense suffering and identity loss that can accompany it. This blend of idealization, identity fusion, and the inevitability of suffering, set against the backdrop of social class, creates a rich and enduring portrayal of romantic love that continues to influence literature today. The historical context of Victorian social structures, gender roles, and the Romantic influence are all evident in the patterns of speech and thematic concerns in this dialogue, illustrating the deep intertwining of personal emotion with broader societal forces.

Enduring Themes and Tropes in Romantic Love

Victorian literature explored romantic love in ways that were both idealized and deeply critical, laying the groundwork for many of the themes that still permeate literature today. The following are some of the key themes and tropes from Victorian literature that continue to shape modern narratives of love.

1. The Idealization of Love

Victorian literature often presented love as a powerful, almost transcendent force that could overcome societal barriers and personal flaws. This idealization is evident in novels like Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre,” where the love between Jane and Mr. Rochester is depicted as deeply spiritual and transformative, capable of transcending the obstacles of social class and personal history. The notion of love as a redemptive and elevating experience continues to be a popular theme in modern romantic literature and media, where love is often portrayed as the ultimate human experience, capable of leading to personal growth and fulfillment.

2. The Exploration of Gender Roles

Victorian literature frequently grappled with the expectations placed on men and women in romantic relationships. The rigid gender roles of the time often created tension in narratives, as characters struggled to reconcile personal desires with societal expectations. In George Eliot’s “Middlemarch,” for example, the protagonist Dorothea Brooke faces the limitations imposed on her by her gender, particularly in her marriage to the older, controlling Casaubon. The exploration of gender roles and the quest for autonomy within relationships remain relevant in contemporary literature, where themes of power dynamics, equality, and independence in love continue to be central concerns.

3. The Impact of Social Class

Social class was a pervasive theme in Victorian literature, often serving as both a barrier and a catalyst in romantic relationships. The strict class divisions of the time made it difficult for characters from different social backgrounds to form relationships, adding complexity and conflict to romantic plots. In Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights,” the doomed love between Heathcliff and Catherine is deeply intertwined with issues of class and social mobility. The idea that love can challenge or reinforce social hierarchies is a theme that endures in modern storytelling, where class differences continue to add drama and tension to romantic narratives.

4. The Gothic Romance

The Victorian fascination with the Gothic also left a lasting impact on the portrayal of romantic love. The combination of dark, brooding settings, psychological complexity, and passionate, often destructive relationships created a distinct sub-genre of romantic literature. “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights” are prime examples of Gothic romance, where love is intertwined with mystery, danger, and the supernatural. This trope has continued to influence modern literature and media, particularly in genres like paranormal romance and dark fantasy, where love is often portrayed as both enchanting and perilous.

The Legacy of Victorian Authors

The works of key Victorian authors have had a profound influence on how romantic love and relationships are portrayed in literature and beyond. Their nuanced and often critical depictions of love have shaped our understanding of the complexities of human relationships, ensuring their relevance even in the 21st century.

1. Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre” is a quintessential exploration of love, independence, and moral integrity. Brontë’s portrayal of Jane as a strong, self-respecting woman who seeks love on her own terms was groundbreaking for its time and continues to inspire readers today. The novel’s themes of self-discovery, the search for equality in relationships, and the conflict between passion and morality have influenced countless works of literature, film, and television.

2. George Eliot

George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, brought a level of psychological depth and realism to her portrayals of love and relationships that was relatively new to Victorian literature. In “Middlemarch,” Eliot delves into the intricacies of marriage, ambition, and societal expectations, offering a critical view of the compromises and sacrifices often demanded by romantic relationships. Eliot’s emphasis on character development and moral complexity has had a lasting impact on literary fiction, inspiring authors to explore the ethical and emotional dimensions of love.

3. Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy’s novels, such as “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” and “Far from the Madding Crowd,” often depict love as a force that is both beautiful and tragic, influenced heavily by social circumstances and fate. Hardy’s pessimistic view of love, where societal pressures and misfortune frequently thwart the happiness of his characters, has resonated with readers for its stark realism. His exploration of the inevitable conflict between individual desires and societal norms continues to influence modern narratives, particularly those that deal with the darker aspects of love and relationships.

The themes and tropes established by Victorian authors in their exploration of romantic love have left a lasting legacy, continuing to shape modern portrayals of love in literature and media. The idealization of love, the exploration of gender roles, the impact of social class, and the allure of Gothic romance are just a few of the enduring themes that Victorian literature has bequeathed to contemporary culture. The works of authors like Charlotte Brontë, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy remain vital to our understanding of love’s complexities, offering insights that resonate across time and continue to influence the stories we tell about human relationships.

The Victorian era was a time of significant social, cultural, and literary transformation, and its portrayal of romantic love reflects the complexities and contradictions of the period. Victorian literature offers a rich and diverse exploration of love, from idealized and traditional portrayals to more complex and critical examinations. By understanding the historical context and societal norms of the Victorian era, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring themes and legacy of its literature.