The lecture Tales of Love Without Darkness explores the history of romantic narratives, from David and Bathsheba, Mr Darcy and Elizabeth, through Disney couples to the many versions of Edward and Bella. It focuses on the contemporary industry of love stories, which, through the mass production of idealised romantic narratives, strips the Prince of his central role and places the White Horse at the forefront – a symbol of longing, entitlement, and female self-realisation.

The lecture therefore raises the question: does the contemporary pursuit of a standardised love without darkness represent an authentic hope, one whose source does not lie in the other person, or is it a form of escapism that only contributes to the darkness within someone’s love? Does such an imagination lead towards the fulfilment of a relationship, or towards a subtle yet real darkness devoid of love?

Lecturer: Judita Paljević-Kraljik