The Definition of Love Love by definition is an emotion explored in philosophy, religion, and literature, often as either romantic love, the fraternal love of others, or the love of God based on the definition found in The Encarta Encyclopedia. As I explored the definition by means of the Internet, books, and articles I noticed the definitions changed quite a bit, but yet had the same basic understanding. The definition I found in The Encarta Encyclopedia was probably the most simple and most basic. It refers to love in the whole aspect, which is Godly, fraternal, and romantic. All in which can only be defined by one word and that it love. The definitions of love are the same and yet different. Godly, for instance is the love of God, and your devotion and respect toward him, the creator. In all religion, god carries the same aspect. Fraternal love is the love of ones family and relatives, even the love of one who is close to you, in that respect, such as a friend. Then there’s romantic love; a love between two people, which I consider to be both intimate and sexual. Older dictionaries and encyclopedias usually refer to the romantic aspect of love, as the love in which is experience between man and woman. In today’s society it is said that romantic love can be found regardless of your gender and based on that definition I would have to agree, but personally disagree for the simply reason that we were physically made to adapt with the other gender sexually. Feeling romantic love for the same sex would defeats the purpose of our existents, which is procreation. Thus making love for the same sex unjust. Love has been expressed since the beginning of time; since Adam and Eve. Each culture expresses its love in its own special way. Though out history, though, it’s aspect has always been the same. Love has been a major characteristic of literature also. One of the most famous works in literary history is, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. This story deals with the love of a man and a woman who’s families have been sworn enemies. There love surpassed the hatred in which the families endured for generations. In the end they both ended up killing their selves, for one could not live without the other. This story is a perfect example of true love.
Love is a common human emotion, one that we all feel throughout our lives. Many would assume that something so common within our nature must be something easy to interpret, however, love is often misconstrued. Lust, infatuation, and mere ‘crushes’ are often misinterpreted as ‘love at first sight’, when love is truly more than just a physical attraction. Though the definition of love ranges from person to person, and can be different for a multitude of different relationships, romantic love is the most touched upon subject in media. Love is displayed in many works of fiction and nonfiction, and one of the most famous works that embodies ‘true romantic love’ is William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet is widely considered a timeless
Love: a small, four-lettered word that oozes with possibility. What is the meaning of love? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines love as “a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person.” However, can love really be defined? In the short story “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,” by Raymond Carver, the four main characters discuss just that: what is love?
Most People tend to misconstrue the true meaning of love. They have a generalized ideology that love is all about having a romantic affair with the opposite gender. A scripture from the Holy Bible states that “ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-5).
What is the meaning of love? Love is a word commonly used but, unfortunately, is rarely truly represented in our actions for another person, especially when we say we “love” them. In our modern culture, people, will tell people to prove their love however, not in ways that truly express love but instead express lust. Many of these actions used to show “love” are often selfish, lustful acts. These professions of “love” often include sending sexually explicit pictures or doing sexual acts or favors for one another.
Although the love story of Romeo and Juliet ends tragically, in the final scenes of the play, Shakespeare successfully highlights the correlation between love and unity. Unfortunately, Romeo and Juliet had to die for Montague and Capulet to finally unite in their mourning (Weis, 17). This emphasizes the concept that ‘love conquers all’, destroying a powerful, passionate love, and uniting prolonged enemies.
Romeo and Juliet is arguably the most famous story about love in literature. This is in part because of the tension caused by the look the different characters have towards what love means and its role in life. These views were very important for the progression of the story. Their different views collided and caused much grief and sorrow for the characters throughout play. Many important events that propelled the story forward would not have happened without the various feelings towards love the characters have and how they felt of and reacted to the other characters’ view on love.
Even though the pair spend less time together, it is enough for them to fall in love. It is clearly true love and there is great intensity in the young lovers’ passion for one another. Love has unlimited forgiveness. As already shown, both Romeo and Juliet are horrified to discover that they are family enemies. Despite this, they both choose to devote their love to each other.
Love is not a noun to be defined, but rather a verb to be acted upon. When one loves someone or something it is action that causes them to achieve change and greatness. Love makes humans vulnerable and causes us to open up to others and present ourselves for who we truly are. Love, acceptance, fear, and race a long with other topics are addressed in James Baldwin’s book, The Fire Next time. In this book he goes into great depth about the meaning of love. Through my interpretations, I believe Baldwin is telling his audience that we as humans, go through life with a mask in order to hide who we really are. It is love however, that causes vulnerability and takes off this mask we carry with us on a daily basis.
Much of my life, love has been defined by an unexplainable and uncontrollable feeling that burns inside your soul. One that when you look at a person you will just know and the rest will be history. This definition of love I grew up love was also demanding, controlling, dependent, and selfish. But still it was something to be desired and something everyone couldn’t wait to feel. To love
Love is having compassion for others, sharing feelings and your life with another person, as well as, having faith in others and forgiving those we love for the any errs that they may make. Most of all, we must be committed to those we love. Of course, this is only my opinion. No matter how long I try to explain what love is ultimately it is up to you, the reader, to define what love is to you. So let me leave you now with the words of the great Humanist Erich Fromm, "Can anything be learned about the art of love, except by practicing it?"
The website’s most popular definition is, ”nature's way of tricking people into reproducing"(Anonymous, 2003), showing how most people have lost their sense of the meaning of the word “love”. Something a little more alternative to describe love is “Love is giving someone the power to destroy you, and trusting them not to” (MyLittlePwny, 2006). My favorite, and the closest definition to what I believe is love, was “love is the desire for their soul” (Militant Liberal, 2005). I think this quote was quite poetic, and very intuitive.
The word love is usually misused or misinterpreted. There are numerous meanings and definitions to this overly used word. Not many of them make much sense to me. Love is a feeling of complete bliss. Love is something that can’t be touched or bought, but is something that is much better than money and earthly objects. I can stay here and describe love all day long and still have so much more to say about this word days later. Love isn’t a word that should be used lightly, but usually is. I believe that love is the most commonly used, but most understood word ever known
It is virtually impossible to ask two different people “what is love,” and expect the exact same answer or at least something similar. Love has one of, if not the loosest definition in the entire dictionary. Technically, love is “an intense feeling of deep affection.” However, everybody has their own meaning about what love means to them. Love can be expressed through words, money, sexual action, and even violence. People often argue about what love means, even though it is meaningless. When larger pop culture figures such as artists, poets, songwriters, or any other popular individuals with a following tries to explain what love is through their work, they usually are not criticized too heavily because that is
Poets and philosophers for centuries have been trying to answer the question, what is love? Love has an infinite number of definitions, which vary from one person to another. Love cannot be measured by any physical means. One may never know what true love is until love it- self has been experienced. What is love? A four letter word that causes a person to behave in a way that is out of character. What is love? A first kiss, childhood crushes on a teacher or friend’s mom. What is love? A choice that people make by putting their partner’s wishes, desires and needs above everything else. What is love? The act of forgiveness, the infatuation with someone, the communication between two people. What is love? A friendship that turned into a lifelong commitment, that special someone who has vowed to spend the rest of their lives to honor and protect, to love each other “till death do you part.” When in love nothing else in the world matters. According to the online Encarta Dictionary love is the passionate feeling of romantic and sexual desire and longing for somebody. Poets and philosophers may never know what love really is, and we may never truly understand the question what is love.
LOVE... love has many definitions. I believe that love is never selfish, never hurtful. Love is a feeling, a decision and an action. As a feeling LOVE is from the heart. Tender, kind, gentle. Fully accepting of the person for who they are. Love gives and does not expect anything in return. Love gives happiness, support, joy. As a decision, LOVE is accepting a person's faults (we all have them) and not judging them. Love is forgiving and does not get angry. As an action LOVE is being there to support, encourage and share with the person you love, in any situation. Love is wanting to make their every moment a happy one. Love is drying the tears when things are down and rejoicing with him when things are good. When I love, I do so with all my heart. When you are weak, I am strong for you.. When you are hurting I am there to comfort you. When you work for your goals in life, I am there to encourage and support you and when you reach your goal I am there to celebrate and rejoice with you. Love is feeling the same