Love triangle
A
love triangle refers to a
romantic relationship involving three people. While it can refer to two people independently romantically linked with a third, it usually implies that each of the three people has some kind of relationship to the other two. The relationships can be friendships, romantic, familial (often siblings), or even pre-existing hatred between rivals. Addition of
bisexual or
homosexual characters adds many possible combinations of sexes, and of romantic and sexual interactions.
The term "love triangle" almost always implies that the arrangement is unsuitable to one or more of the people involved. A similar arrangement that is agreed upon by all parties is sometimes called
polyamory, although polyamory usually implies sexual relations. Within the context of
monogamy, love triangles are inherently unstable.
Unrequited love and
jealousy are common themes in love triangles.
A love triangle should not be confused with a
ménage à trois.
Love triangles are an extremely popular theme in entertainment, especially romantic fiction, including
opera,
romance novels,
soap operas,
romantic comedies,
Japanese comics and
popular music.
The most famous example of a love triangle in English-language literature is likely that of
King Arthur,
Queen Guinevere, and the Knight of the
Round Table Sir Lancelot du Lac. Lancelot came from France to join Arthur's court, and due to his great prowess soon became a close ally and friend of Arthur. However, Lancelot's attraction to Guinevere grew, and Guinevere, while truly fond of Arthur, could not seem to help but respond in kind. Because
infidelity in a queen is considered
treason, this liaison ripped
Camelot and the country of England apart.
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Love*
Love rectangle*
Ménage à trois*
Monogamy*
Polyamory*
Triangle
