Love has been the inspiration for millennia of poets, artists and composers. It is a concept that has been explored in many ways and remains one of the most intriguing topics for academic research. A variety of perspectives on the topic offer valuable information that can help you create a thoughtful, compelling essay on love.
The traditional scientific view of love is that it is a mammalian drive, like hunger or thirst. It is influenced by hormones such as oxytocin and neurotrophins, as well as by social and cultural factors. This view sees romantic love as a combination of companionate and passionate love.
Biological models of love also imply that we are hard-wired to love others. Love may be a genetically inherited response, similar to other basic drives such as the need for food or water. It is a necessary part of human life and the survival of our offspring.
While this view of love has practical applications, it does not necessarily explain the full range of emotions that people experience when they are in love. Some people describe falling in love as a feeling of euphoria or ecstasy. Others describe a period of intense longing that is sometimes accompanied by physiological arousal (shortness of breath, rapid heart rate). Some individuals feel both of these responses and identify with either companionate or passionate love.
Companionate love is a feeling of affection and closeness. It is not accompanied by the excitement and vulnerability of passion, but it is equally rewarding. It often includes sacrifices, such as the willingness to put the needs of another above one’s own. This type of love is the foundation for a healthy, lasting relationship.
For example, a partner might give up his or her time to care for an aging parent. This act of selflessness, which is a manifestation of companionate love, can be very satisfying.
Other forms of love include the commitment to a difficult person, such as someone in a repeating pattern of destructive behavior. This form of love is a desire to move the person toward healthier patterns, but it also involves accepting and celebrating that person as he or she is.
If you are writing about your own experience of loving someone, consider including some personal details that make your story more interesting. It is easy to fall into sappy, clichéd language when describing the feelings of love, so try to find ways to make your essay more objective. For instance, if your love’s habit of checking Instagram at lunch drives you crazy, you could include that in your essay to make your relationship sound more realistic. This will also help your reader to connect with your writing. A good essay requires a clear and cohesive thesis statement. A thesis statement should also include your main argument, which is a specific claim or argument about the topic of your paper. To help your reader understand your argument, you should provide supporting evidence for each point that you make.
