Those Who Have Suffered Because of Me

In the final scene of West Side Story, a grief-stricken Maria remarks that hate alone is enough to kill.
    But what about love? Can love be enough to make someone suffer, at least when it comes to fictional characters?
    In my case, it seems that whenever I am reading a book, watching a movie, or watching a stage production, any character to whom I find a romantic attraction is condemned to suffer.
    I have not one, not two, but twelve characters who have suffered because I thought I think I love you when I met them.


Example A: Frodo Baggins

Anyone who has read J.R.R. Tolkien's beautiful Lord of the Rings trilogy and/or seen the film adaptations knows this character. (And anyone who knows me personally and is reading this post is probably rolling their eyes with the predictability of his being in this post.)
    Answer me something: What woman cannot resist those brown curls and those perfect blue eyes? That aside, he has the perfect personality. He is loyal, caring, remarkably selfless and courageous, strong-willed, intelligent, clever, and for some reason I'm attracted to his tortured side. (For that last one--don't ask why because I have no idea.)
    No, he does not die, but I'd argue that he suffers things worse than death. He suffers not one, not two, but three incurable physical wounds: the knife wound, Shelob's sting, and losing a finger. And that's nothing compared to the mental torment he endures and the unending sadness he feels following the end of his quest. Not to mention the Ring, which literally grows heavier with every step, nor that virtually everyone avoids him when he returns to the Shire. Also, depending on how you interpret it, you could argue that in a way he dies because he leaves Middle-Earth.
    To you, Mr. Baggins, I think I owe the deepest apology because you suffer the most. That might be because I am the most attracted to you.

Example B: Faramir

I'll admit it--Faramir was my first Lord of the Rings crush. In one of my numerous Lord of the Rings fantasies (no pun intended), I still marry him, but Frodo has moved up to Middle-Earth's Most Desirable Male (and admittedly Fiction's Most Desirable Male).
    Look at that pic! Isn't he sexy?! He has the right face to look awesome with a mustache and beard, and I love his long hair, as well as those eyes.
    I've heard some people say that Faramir gets a bad rep in the movies, but I would disagree with that. He might not show it a lot, but he has a strong will, as well as a good sense of right and wrong--when the Ring's not possessing him, that is.
    This poor guy gets a lot of abuse. His older brother is killed by Orcs. His father, who has always hated him, hates him even more once Faramir releases Frodo and Sam from captivity. Then, following an assault, he falls into a comatose state, and his father nearly burns him alive! But he finds love, and I'm happy for him.

Example C: Obi-Wan Kenobi

 

If you are reading this post, I will assume that you have at least heard of the Star Wars saga. (Let's face it: Who hasn't?) In this picture, you see Obi-Wan as played by both Ewan McGregor and Alec Guinness.

    I think young Obi-Wan is physically attractive, but much more so in Attack of the Clones than Revenge of the Sith. Old Obi-Wan doesn't seem to have this next quality, but I love young Obi-Wan's dry sense of humor. Whether young or old, Kenobi has three qualities that I consider essential: bravery, loyalty, and a strong sense of right and wrong.

    While he does not suffer the way Mr. Baggins does, he is also cursed, sadly--but you already knew that. In case you didn't, I'll summarize. His Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, betrays him and every other Jedi by joining the Dark Side. As Darth Vader, Skywalker kills Obi-Wan in A New Hope. Do not weep, though, for his soul lives on after death, and his soul appears a few times to Anakin's son Luke.

Example D: Qui-Gon Jinn

Oh, look! We have another Star Wars character! You have most likely heard of him, but he is not as well-known as Obi-Wan because, well, Qui-Gon appears in only one film.

    To be honest, I'm really digging the hippie hair. Sometimes, however (hopefully this won't offend anyone), I look at his hair and beard and wonder if Liam Neeson was trying to pull of a Jesus-look. (In fairness, though, he would later voice Aslan, whom is interpreted as a symbol for Jesus, in the Chronicles of Narnia series.)

    As for personality, he seems to mirror the older Obi-Wan. He is wise, thoughtful, observant, and very easygoing.

    If you have seen the three most recent Star Wars movies, you know of Qui-Gon's fate. For the rest of you, I will say it. Yep, you guessed it--he dies. And it's a fairly slow death, too. But not as slow as a later example.

Example E: Spock

Because the opportunity is right there: Squee! Eyebrow-lift!!

    Let's face it: Spock is awesome. And, in my humble opinion, Spock > Kirk. Obviously, there's the aforementioned eyebrow-lift that thus far only the great Leonard Nimoy has done. I'm really attracted to Zachary Quinto's eyes in this picture. But that aside, Spock just has an awesome personality. I find attraction in his overall lack of emotion, his logical behavior, his loyalty, and his almost survivalist need to correct minor errors. (In that last way, Spock and I have a lot in common.)

    What happens to Spock? Well, that depends on whether you are discussing Quinto's or Nimoy's. Quinto-Spock hasn't died or even suffered a serious injury. However, he does suffer the loss of his home planet, as well as the loss of his mother. Neither thing happens to Nimoy-Spock--at least, not as far as I know. However, he dies a slow and painful death after being exposed to a lethal amount of radiation. (à la William Shatner: KHAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!)

    While I have your attention, I would like to note that I have indeed seen Star Trek 2: the Wrath of Khan, and Spock's death scene is really, really sad. (Yes, I know that he comes back in the next movie.) He's in quarantine to keep others from being exposed to the radiation, but he's in a transparent container, and Kirk's on the other side of the barrier. They come as close to touching hands as they can, and when the dying Spock chokes, "I have been and always shall be your friend," ... well, cue water-works.

Example F: Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale

I've gotta be honest: I have no idea why the hell I'm so in love with this guy.

    For one thing, he committed adultery. (He was not married; the woman was.) For another, he is completely selfish because he cares more about his reputation than about Hester Prynne, with whom he committed adultery. (Hester has a child from that sin.) So rather than confess his deed, he chooses instead to torture himself on a daily basis. If I had to wager a guess as to why I love him so, I'd say that my heart softened once I realized just how terrible his condition was.

    Remember when I noted Qui-Gon's slow death? Well, this is the slowest death of any character. This is because Dimmesdale is effectively dying at the book's beginning and dies in the book's final chapter. (The entire story is set over roughly seven years.) In the final chapter, he finally confesses his sin on the public scaffold and promptly collapses, where he dies in Hester's arms.

    How does he torture himself, you ask? Well ... he whips himself, fasts, keeps vigil, and seems to have carved some sort of mark of his sin on his chest. Yeah... And as you can imagine, this all makes him extremely paranoid.

    (And if you're wondering, I have no clue who that actor is in the picture. I hoped to find John Heard from a 1979 miniseries, but I couldn't.)

Example G: Professor Remus J. Lupin

 

I realize that not everyone has chosen to read the Harry Potter series, and if you are one of those people, I respect that decision.

    Admittedly, I do not find Professor Lupin as handsome as I used to. But his personality is truly what attracts him to me. He is really smart! He is also unconditionally loyal, kind, and tender to his woman. *Clenches teeth in jealousy*

    I seem to be really attracted to tortured men! In this case, Remus suffers from the werewolf's curse. This time, though, he is an actual werewolf--the kind that transforms every full moon and everything! Also, probably since Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I knew he was going to die, so I was not surprised when he died. But it was still so sad!

Example H: Fiyero Tiggular

 

For those of you wondering, that's Fiyero as played by Norbert Leo Butz, who played Fiyero in the original Broadway production of Wicked.

    If you haven't seen Wicked, I highly recommend it. I'll do the best I can not to give away anything major.

    Fiyero is definitely not as intelligent as most of my other cursed crushes, but he more than makes up for that. He has a great sense of humor, frequently joking that he has no brain. And he is unconditionally loyal and extremely caring. *Is jealous of Elphaba*

    What happens, you wonder? He is sentenced to be beaten to death for aiding the Wicked Witch. (à l'Idina Menzel: FIYEROOOOOOOOO!!!!) He is only spared by becoming the Scarecrow due to a spell the Wicked Witch casts.

Example I: Bernardo

And while we're on the subject of musicals...

    I have seen both the Broadway revival and the movie, and I like both Bernardos. The one pictured is George Chakiris from the movie. Ain't he sexy? ^^

    He's actually my favorite West Side Story character because he is the most multi-dimensional. He is, I admit, a bit overprotective, but considering the environment, can you really blame him? He has a small circle of friends, but he cares a lot about them. And I love the way he teases his girlfriend Anita.

    Yes, he is like Tybalt of Romeo and Juliet fame. In a rumble, Bernardo's sister Maria's love interest Tony kills Bernardo. Why Maria forgives Tony I'll never know.

Example J: Inigo Montoya

 

Must ... not ... use ... quote!

    Now that that's taken care of ... when I first saw The Princess Bride, I thought Inigo was drop-dead gorgeous. I still think he's handsome, but no longer to that extent.

    Obviously, due to his skill with swordplay, I would feel protected with him. Plus there's his inspiring loyalty to his deceased father and to his friends. And the accent! O, that Spanish accent! Squee!

    I suppose that in the grand scheme of things, he does not suffer to the extent of my other men. Before the time-frame of The Princess Bride, his father is killed. Within the time-frame of The Princess Bride, he nearly dies getting his revenge. And considering that he got a knife right to the stomach, it's a wonder he didn't die.

Example K: Westley

This guy just reeks with Awesomeness.
    For one thing, talk about loyalty! He would die for his lady. Plus, he is extremely clever, and he has a dry sense of humor. *Is jealous of Buttercup*
    With true love comes great suffering, I guess. He's kidnapped by pirates and presumed dead. When he returns, his Buttercup doesn't recognize him and pushes him down a hill, hoping he will fall to his death. He doesn't but is later attacked by an ROUS. (Yes, they exist.) Then he's knocked unconscious and wakes up in a torture chamber. A machine sucks away one year of his life. That same machine is later used to kill him. He baaaarely escapes death. All in the name of true love.

Example L: Will Turner

Look at him! Isn't he gorgeous?!!
    In addition to hid drop-dead good looks, this lad is a shrewd observer, very strong (both physically and mentally), clever, earnest, and unconditionally loyal. He says himself that he would die for his woman. *Is jealous of Elizabeth*
    I blame Disney entirely for what happens to Will. In POTC 1, nothing happens. In POTC 2, nothing serious happens, but he is captured by Davy Jones and gets to see his undead father. In POTC 3, ***SPOILER ALERT!!*** he dies. You read that correctly; he dies. He dies in a completely pointless sequel to a completely pointless sequel. CURSE YOU, BRUCKHEIMER!!

Well, this concludes my session. I have plenty more characters who are cursed in such ways, both romantic interests and characters I just like. To you twelve, and the many others, I am so sorry for the suffering I have caused you. I hope you can find it in your fictional hearts to forgive me.