Abstract

A consideration of one of the perennial paradoxes of Western society, which upholds monogamous marriage as the ethical norm, and yet is forever fascinated by romantic passion outside of marriage. The treatment of this fascination by the medieval legend of Tristan and Iseult, and the subsequent reappearance of this legend or its theme in Western literature down to the present, is examined. A theory of the eros-agape dichotomy is developed. The author concludes that the appeal of extra-attachment is illusory.--W. S. L.