By Parvi Anand
When we think of love, we often think of relationships, candy, or Cupid. But have we ever thought of the origin story behind love, Cupid, or Valentine’s Day—the history that shaped this celebration of romance?
According to History.com, the roots of Valentine’s Day trace back to both Christian and ancient Roman traditions, mixing stories of sacrifice, forbidden love, and pagan rituals. The holiday is named after Saint Valentine, a mysterious figure who is said to have performed secret weddings and sent the first “valentine” while in prison.
Some historians also believe the holiday is connected to Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival that included animal sacrifices and matchmaking. Over time, Valentine’s Day became a celebration of love, growing popular in the Middle Ages through poetry and later with cards and gifts in Victorian England. Today, it is celebrated worldwide as a day of romance and tradition.
I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Decker, Lovett’s US Fine Arts teacher, to get his thespian’s perspective on the origins of love. According to him, love stories trace back to ancient Greece, where Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and her son Eros (or Cupid) played key roles in shaping the concept. The Greeks told tales of unrequited love, which often ended in tragedy—seen in classic stories like those of Oedipus (though, as Decker put it, “we will not get into that”).
“Love has remained a central theme throughout theater history, evolving across time periods.” Mr. Decker added, “Shakespeare, for instance, is a common tie between classics to now.” When asked about the most legendary love stories, Mr. Decker pointed to Hadestown, a retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. “It’s such a powerful story that musicians have turned it into a love story time and time again,” he said.
Ms. Jespersen, US History teacher, shared that while many romances exist in history, they often don’t end well. Mr. May-Beaver, another US history teacher, cited F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald as an example, describing their love as passionate yet tragic, with Zelda ultimately ending up in an insane asylum.
As for love’s place in American history, Mr. May Beaver pointed to Abigail Adams’ famous letter to John Adams, urging him to “remember the ladies” during the nation’s founding. “She didn’t have the power to create equality herself, but she hoped her husband could make strides,” Mr. May-Beaver noted.
We also discussed how medieval traditions, such as “courtly love,” influenced modern Valentine’s Day customs. Ms. Jespersen explained that medieval marriages were often contracts designed to enhance social status. The concept of love as separate from marriage led to traditions of gift-giving, with one of the most famous tokens being the handkerchief in Shakespeare’s Othello—a symbol of love that ultimately led to jealousy and tragedy. As Ms. Jespersen humorously put it, “The whole play is about jealousy in love—if he just took more protein, he would be better off.”
When asked about how love has evolved, Mr. May-Beaver emphasized that relationships in the U.S. have become more egalitarian—focused on equality—while Ms. Jespersen pointed out that Aristotle categorized love into different types: romantic, familial, and camaraderie. Mr. Decker reinforced that love stories have remained a constant in theater, with Shakespeare serving as a bridge between the past and present.
As for how historians might view modern love, Ms. Jespersen humorously suggested they might be “appalled by Tinder and the emphasis on physical appearance.” She also added “they might take a nuanced view, considering the sacrifices people make for love, whether for their families or their countries.” Mr. May-Beaver said that “the shifting social, political, and economic landscape makes this a confusing time to navigate relationships.”
Regarding arranged marriages, Ms. Jespersen noted that while not common in Western societies, they remain prevalent in South and East Asia, where love is often seen as something that grows over time rather than as an initial foundation.
Finally, when asked about his favorite romantic literature, Mr. May-Beaver cited Thomas Lux’s poem I Love You, Sweatheart, which tells the story of a man spray-painting his love on a highway overpass—”a grand, if unconventional, declaration of affection.”
Through these perspectives, it’s clear that love, in all its forms, has been a central theme throughout history. From ancient Greek tragedies to medieval courtships and modern-day romance, the ways we express love continue to evolve while remaining deeply rooted in storytelling and tradition.
Just don’t spraypaint your prom intentions above the entrance to the cafeteria.
