Romance tropes are the backbone of all things media

Posted Dec. 29, 2021

Written for Dec. 9, 2021 print edition

By Elizabeth Philbrick

Staff Editor

Although some seem very cliche, romance tropes are the backbone of all things media, from movies and TV shows to books and comics.

With romance being one of the most popular genres in media, the portrayal of the character’s relationship is always a good way to keep readers and viewers interested. This genre is full of many different tropes, from the popular love triangle, when three characters are competing for each other’s love, to right person, wrong time, when the character meets the “right person,” but the relationship is not able to work out in the long run.

Other tropes include the love “arrow,” commonly mistaken for the love triangle, where two characters are fighting for the love of the main character; the secret billionaire, when someone is tired of their lavish lifestyle, so they sneak out of the spotlight and meet someone that treats them like a normal person; and enemies/friends to lovers, where two people who have either known each other since childhood or hate each other’s guts now see each other as a potential love interest.

On top of the other previously stated tropes, there’s also forbidden love, like the popular Romeo and Juliet, two characters who aren’t allowed to love each other can’t help but become entangled in a relationship; when two people are stuck together, whether it’s in a snowed-in cabin or on a road trip together; and the versatile soulmate theme, where the two characters are meant to be together as each other’s ‘one true love.’

After reading many books and watching many TV shows and movies, I can definitely pick out my favorite and least favorite. For being very versatile, the soulmate trope has to be my favorite. From the classic red string to “next life,” these stories can always go so many different ways.

While my least favorite has to be the right person, wrong time. Although the stories are always nice to read or watch, it hurts to see the characters in so much pain.