Post by The Muse on Apr 22, 2015 7:41:34 GMT -5
At first inspection, this may seem like a stupid question.
"Love is love," you may reply.
Oh, to the contrary my friends.
Lets dig into this a bit, shall we?
In the Greek, or shall I say, Ancient Greek language, there are four terms used for the word love, each describing a DIFFERENT type of love.
First there is the verb Phi-le'o. It means being fond of, having affection for or liking someone, such as a close friend or a brother. Its the basis for the suffix "phile" which is used to form nouns and adjectives meaning lover of, friend of, etc.
This is the reason the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is called "The City of Brotherly Love."
The second type of love is described by a form of the word Stor-ge'. Stor-ge' is a different type of familial love. This is the love that parents, children and siblings would feel towards one another. The word meaning connotation is that of a Natural Affection.
The third love is quite likely the most commonly known. The ancient Greek term for it is E'ros. As you probably already know, its the root for the term erotic. It refers to the sensual love between individuals. It has its basis in physical attraction.
The fourth love is the most complex and most interesting. A-gape' love. A-gape' love is guided by principle. It is not based on emotional response to others, it is a DELIBERATE choice. There is thought involved in choosing to feel this way about someone, because A-gape' love is completely unselfish.
This does not, however, mean that A-gape' love is cold, calculated or unfeeling. Quite often it includes tender affection towards the recipient, but that love is never swayed by mere sentiment. It is always guided by wisdom and just principles. It often is present in a dual nature with one of the other types of love at the same time.
This could be demonstrated in this way:
A person could feel a great deal of love and affection for his closest friends. But he also chooses to extend kindness and goodness toward all. Does this mean he feels that same "affection" for those not his closest friends? NO. But he is demonstrating A-gape' love by treating others with standards of high principles.
Now, how do you use this in your writing?
The first three types are easy to use in your characters. The fourth is much more subtle. It requires depth to the character and adds a layer of complexity to their personality and the way you write about them.
Does this make your job easier?
No.
But the results will be more fascinating, believable characters that the reader becomes emotionally invested in, drawing them deeper into your story.
Happy Writing everyone!
~The Muse
"Love is love," you may reply.
Oh, to the contrary my friends.
Lets dig into this a bit, shall we?
In the Greek, or shall I say, Ancient Greek language, there are four terms used for the word love, each describing a DIFFERENT type of love.
First there is the verb Phi-le'o. It means being fond of, having affection for or liking someone, such as a close friend or a brother. Its the basis for the suffix "phile" which is used to form nouns and adjectives meaning lover of, friend of, etc.
This is the reason the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is called "The City of Brotherly Love."
The second type of love is described by a form of the word Stor-ge'. Stor-ge' is a different type of familial love. This is the love that parents, children and siblings would feel towards one another. The word meaning connotation is that of a Natural Affection.
The third love is quite likely the most commonly known. The ancient Greek term for it is E'ros. As you probably already know, its the root for the term erotic. It refers to the sensual love between individuals. It has its basis in physical attraction.
The fourth love is the most complex and most interesting. A-gape' love. A-gape' love is guided by principle. It is not based on emotional response to others, it is a DELIBERATE choice. There is thought involved in choosing to feel this way about someone, because A-gape' love is completely unselfish.
This does not, however, mean that A-gape' love is cold, calculated or unfeeling. Quite often it includes tender affection towards the recipient, but that love is never swayed by mere sentiment. It is always guided by wisdom and just principles. It often is present in a dual nature with one of the other types of love at the same time.
This could be demonstrated in this way:
A person could feel a great deal of love and affection for his closest friends. But he also chooses to extend kindness and goodness toward all. Does this mean he feels that same "affection" for those not his closest friends? NO. But he is demonstrating A-gape' love by treating others with standards of high principles.
Now, how do you use this in your writing?
The first three types are easy to use in your characters. The fourth is much more subtle. It requires depth to the character and adds a layer of complexity to their personality and the way you write about them.
Does this make your job easier?
No.
But the results will be more fascinating, believable characters that the reader becomes emotionally invested in, drawing them deeper into your story.
Happy Writing everyone!
~The Muse
