Pining for love is passé...or is it?
Pining means to be languishing for an unattainable or lost love.
The word pining, describes young Violet. She is in a love fog, the kind that seeps into the brain and clouds any kind of good judgement.
(Digitally reworked painting of Violet. See original painting at the end of the post.)
Romance writers know that bodice ripping passionate love scenes sell books, but courtship in the Victorian era was very boring and riddled with rules, especially in well-bred circles.
It would be very difficult for a young, unmarried woman to meet a man without parental approval and a chaperone, let alone participate in any bodice ripping.
Crossing the legs, belly laughing, swaying to music or keeping the beat of music with the feet, touching the person of the opposite sex, and a long list of other taboo behaviours, are part of the etiquette that women and men had to be aware of as they began their courtship.
But times have changed.
If pining for love is passé, where to look for our notions of love and courtship?
Comedians weigh in on love and relationships
If anyone can hit the mark about love and relationships, it has to be a comedian!
From Whitney Cummings: “It’s the 21st century. I don’t need an alpha male to protect me. I don’t need a big, strong man to fight off a tiger. I need a geek who can get my naked photos off the cloud.”
From Ellen DeGeneres: “I like my coffee like I like my men. I don’t drink coffee.”
From Bonnie McFarlane: “I once gave my husband the silent treatment for an entire week, at the end of which he declared, ‘Hey, we’re getting along pretty great lately!”
From Chelsea Handler: “I went out with a guy who once told me I didn’t need to drink to make myself more fun to be around. I told him, I’m drinking so that you’re more fun to be around.”
From Chris Rock: “ When you’re married, you wanna kill your spouse. When you’re single, you wanna kill yourself. If you haven’t contemplated murder, you ain’t been in love.”
Yes, comedians often cross the line into political incorrectness. I have selected quotations that are extremely tame by today’s standards.
All idealistic notions of love are tossed away in their version of relationships.
Comedians’ abrasive, irreverent, and sometimes sarcastic take on love is the stuff that makes us laugh. And laughter is a prized commodity these days.
A Latin proverb proclaims, “Love is rich with both honey and venom.”
Comedians are more focused on the venom than on the honey wouldn't you say?
So let's allow Violet her dreams about love for now. After all, it is Valentine's Day and anything can happen!
Mixed media painting on 12 x 18" Canson watercolour paper.
