All About Love Letters
All About Love Letters
From Frida Kahlo to Napoleon Bonaparte, many historical figures have poured out their feelings using one of the simplest means - love letters. Some of the earliest writings about love appeared more than 5,000 years ago, however, historians believe writing and sending love letters became most popular during the Renaissance.
Lovers used letters to profess their feelings to their beloved... sometimes in secret if it was a forbidden romance! Writing letters seemed to be less expensive than traditional gifts and more personal since the authors of these letters encaptured raw emotion. Similarly, love poems grew in popularity for their structure and sentiment.
You can view a list of the best romantic love letters here.
In A.R. Gurney's Love Letters, the characters of Melissa and Andy write each other letters for more than 50 years to discuss their hopes, dreams, and ambitions. Consequently, they also discuss the disappointments they've faced and the tumultuous journey they've each endured. Relying on their friendship to get them through both the good and bad times, the characters read each other's letters, resulting in a relatable, moving love story.
The play was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and has been portrayed on stage by many actors including Tom Hanks with Rita Wilson, Elizabeth Taylor with James Earl Jones, and Sigourney Weaver with Jeff Daniels.
