Print this page Three's a Crowd: Famous Love Triangles in History

Ever since people first fell in love, the shadow of a third person has rarely been far away. From ancient myth to modern headlines, famous 'pairings plus one' have left lasting marks on our history, culture and politics. In this lively course, led by two tutors, Theodora Zourkas and Stephanie Giannis, we'll explore eight famous triangle relationships from mythology and history. We'll meet Jason, Medea and Glauce, whose story ended in tragedy; Mark Antony, Octavia and Cleopatra, whose passions changed the ancient world; and Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, whose triangle transformed England. We'll also look at more recent royal and political triangles that still spark debate. Together we'll ask what drives these relationships: power, money, status, belonging, desire or the need to feel important? We'll consider how gender expectations shaped the choices made and the consequences for everyone involved. And we'll ask whether any relationship, powerful or ordinary, is truly immune.

Join fellow history and mythology lovers for engaging, thought-provoking conversations. In a relaxed and respectful space, every perspective is welcome.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

COURSE RESOURCES

• Ryan Holiday (2016) Ego is the Enemy  
• There are many books and biographies, which take various perspectives, written about the relationships of famous people
• A suggested reading list will be provided at the course

COURSE OUTLINES

• Define what are triangle relationships and what we mean by the ‘tyranny of the triangle’ 
• Examine eight triangle relationships (historical and mythological) to understand the psychological drivers for these types of relationships such as; the need for power, money, status and belonging, lust, and the quest to fill the void of the ego.
• Discuss the themes of gender role expectations and the impact of power, wealth and status.
• Does the ‘relationship triangle’ only impact the wealthy and powerful or is no relationship immune?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand what a ‘triangle relationship’ is and what we mean by the ‘tyranny of the triangle’ 
• Increase awareness of historical and mythological relationship triangles and their impact on culture and society
• Increase understanding of the themes of gender role expectations and the impact of power, wealth and status.