Deep down we all love a good romance; all the tension, drama and fluffy goodness. While a good romance is full of conflict to keep you reading, it can be hard to distinguish between loving a story (or couple) for the story, and loving it for #RelationshipGoals. Things start to get messy (i.e. destructive) when the couples we romanticize are seriously unhealthy.
These are some of the worst (and most loved couples) that are actually horrible.
1. Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, Twilight
Isn’t it so romantic when your boyfriend sneaks into your room to watch you sleep, or when the constant threat of him killing you lurks over your head? When he’s away, don’t you just want to throw yourself off a cliff, or undergo permeant, life-ending changes just to be with him forever? Oh wait, no. There’s so much wrong about Bella and Edward’s relationship, but to put to it simply, never fall in love with someone who is struggling not to kill you.
2. Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanon, The Great Gatsby
Obsession, extravagant parties, and false pretenses does not equal a fairytale love story. Jay Gatsby spends years crafting an entire life to impress Daisy Buchanan, who is wildly undeserving. When he reunites with his muse in the flesh, things quickly go to hell in a hand basket as he realizes that she can never live up to his vision of her. In short, all his work is a waste, and Dasiy runs back to her husband unscathed. Gatsby, on the other hand, isn't so lucky.
3. Romeo and Juliet, Romeo and Juliet
Warring families, forbidden love, and teenage angst never work out in the end. Never. While Romeo and Juliet may be in love, without reason to guide them, it becomes a tragedy at the cost of many lives.
4. Anastasia Steel and Chistian Grey, Fifty Shades of Grey
For a complete answer, refer to the guidelines from the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
5. Harley Quinn and The Joker, Suicide Squad
The relationship between Harley and the Joker is irrevocably tied to abuse (mental and physical), mental illness and psychopathy. Harley is textbook victim material in that she falls in love with her abuser and repeatedly returns to him. The glorification and romanticization of this frighteningly abusive relationship should be alarming. #NotRelationshipGoals
6. Katness Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games
First of all, no, I'm not Teem Gale. Katniss and Peeta's relationship may grow and change through the books, but it is built on an extremely shaky foundation. The first step in their relationship was not killing each other. While the experiences they went through together may have brought them closer, a relationship that begins in deception and false pretenses is not a good one.
7. Jaime and Cersei Lannister, Game of Thrones
Incest, people. Incest.
8. Aria Montgomery and Ezra Fitz, Pretty Little Liars
For some, a student/teacher relationship may seem romantic, but the reality of it is not. For a young woman (Aria was 15 when they first hooked up) to be involved romantically with an older man (especially a teacher) is dangerous and can cause a multitude of problems. In real life, if a male teacher has a relationship with his much younger student, he is a predator, taking advantage of student. And that's just Season One.
9. Catherine and Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights
One of the most-loved couples, but also one of the worst. Catherine and Heathcliffe's relationship is full of passion, angst, and mutual destruction. Most of their relationship is spent coming up with ways to hurt the other the most to make an impression and running through the Moors. (And yes, that is Tom Hardy in a wig.)
10. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, Harry Potter
As strong and intelligent Hermione is, she needs somebody that is her equal, and while she and Ron may have a deep friendship, romantically they may not be the best fit. J.K. Rowling even said, "In some ways Hermione and Harry are a better fit and I'll tell you something very strange. When I wrote Hallows, I felt this quite strongly when I had Hermione and Harry together in the tent!" The author also admitted that Hermione and Ron would need "relationship counseling." I'm with Jo on this one.
If you think you're noticing a theme between the couples, you're right. The problem with most of these couples is that their love is self-serving. They put the feelings that their signifiant other inspire within them before their own well-being or sanity and in turn cause destruction to themselves and others around them.
