The 4 forms of love according to the Greeks and their meaning
The 4 forms of love according to the Greeks and their meaning
What are the forms of love according to the Greeks?
Love is an abstract and universal feeling that everyone experiences, but in different ways. Love can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context and the sentimental relationship to which it refers.
In ancient times, the Greeks sought to find different ways of understanding and explaining what love was and how humans experienced it.
This is the reason why, a large number of stories have emerged in different literary genres including comedy, tragedy, epic and lyrical poetry; having for theme love in its different manifestations: passion, attraction, obsession, tenderness, complicity, interest and sensuality.
According to the Greeks, love is the feeling responsible for a large number of human actions, decisions and states of mind.
Therefore, they came up with four types or classifications of love to explain this very complex feeling that one experiences when one loves. They are: Eros, Storgé, Philia and Ágapé.
Eros
Eros represents passionate and erotic love. In Greek mythology, Eros is the god who symbolizes romantic love, passion and impulsiveness. It can be the first step towards a deeper and more lasting love, if we can channel its intensity.
This type of love is characterized by physical, sexual and instinctive attraction. It is linked to fleeting love, which is generated at the start of the relationship and idealizes the moment by mixing desire and sexual attraction.
Love Eros for being very impulsive and carnal can lead to infidelities.
Storged
The Greeks Storged love is fraternal, friendly and committed love. It is a love that grows over time and is linked to family and friendships, which is the reason why it is characterized by a loyal and even protective love.
Storged love needs time for people to get to know each other, it also needs a great commitment. Storged love is opposed to Eros love, in that it is neither passionate nor impulsive and can occur between people or between people and pets.
Philia
Philia love is the love that exists between friends, the love of neighbor who seeks the common good and is expressed through respect, solidarity, cooperation, camaraderie. They say it is one of the most beautiful loves that exists.
Love Philia is a love that is characterized by altruism and is based on the friendship that rejoices when the other is happy and well. It does not involve passionate love or bodily attraction.
An example of Philia are those long-standing, loyal and committed friendships that are often shared, yet without having any other kind of love other than brotherly love.
Agape
The Greeks called Agape the purest and most unconditional love that exists. It refers to a love that nourishes, generous, aware of its duties; a spiritual and deep love whose priority is the well-being of the loved one.
Agape love is characterized by the fact that it is universal, that is to say that it is the love that we have for a person, an animal, a nature, a divinity (religious devotion) and is present throughout human society. He is not passionate, even those who love in this way are ready to part with the relationship for the sake of the loved one, they give up if necessary.
Agape love does not seek its own pleasure, on the contrary, it finds satisfaction in giving love. Hence, he is considered to be a sensitive, tender, caring and kind love.
Update date: February 12, 2021.
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