Ancient Greek philosopher Plato was the ancestor of many interesting theories. Including the existence of several forms of love. The most significant of them he considered such feelings, which did not include bodily attraction. Since then they have received the name "platonic love".
Love
By and large, platonic relations are a direct answer to the question: "Is friendship possible between a man and a woman?" According to the generally accepted opinion, in any gender relations there is a tinge of eroticism, hidden sexuality. And if representatives of the opposite sex, close in age, closely communicate, are often seen, so there is something between them. Let's see how much this suspicion is true. Let us recall the times of the Middle Ages, chivalry. To mind, there come beautiful ladies, minstrels, lofty ballads, in which the service to a woman was celebrated. This example best describes platonic relations. This is an ideal love, living in the hearts for many years, in which there is no hint of physical intimacy. Its synonym is knightly love. A man went to war, left the subject of his passion often not for one year. The lady promised to wait for him, gave a vow of fidelity, together with her, the man also swore. People remained true to the word for a long time. They could lead a free sex life, but they did not let anyone into their hearts.
Platonic love in faces
Or such a model of the concept of "platonic relations": this is the connection of the great Russian classic of our literature Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev and the talented French opera singer Polina Viardot. The history of their acquaintance is known to us from the school bench. And it remains to be surprised at the immense share of respect that these people had for each other and for their feelings, which gave them the willpower not to sink to the banal intrigue. This is what true love, friendship, love-cooperation, love-support looks like. Viardot's husband, a famous Parisian composer and public figure, did much to popularize Russian literature and, in particular, Turgenev's own work. Naturally, for him there was no secret what exactly the writer feels for Pauline. But their platonic relations are an embodiment of correctness and purity, and Louis Viardot with joy and pleasure accepted Ivan Sergeevich in his house, supported him in difficult moments of life, considered a member of his family. And Turgenev did not deceive his confidence! Children Viardo he considered almost his children. The writer's daughter, born of a serf peasant woman, grew and grew up in a French family - in her homeland, in Russia, she was illegitimate! That's what it means to platonic love a woman! And combine personal, intimate feelings with the ability to make friends! Speaking of historical personalities, one can not help recalling Marina Tsvetaeva and her "novels in verse" with the German poet Rilke and Russian - Boris Pasternak. Rilke and Tsvetaeva never met in person. She met Pasternak several years later, after an active written communication. But both loved passionately and passionately - as the Poet of another Poet, Talent in the most vivid manifestation of him can love. With all this, she most of all in the world treasured her husband, Sergei Efron, and life was put in order to be with him. Therefore, the platonic feelings are the kinship of souls, the joy of communication, the proximity of inner worlds.
Perfect love in literary works
Our literature is a wonderful literature. If you raise the topic of ideal, high love, for which no time or distance is a hindrance, then the legendary "Pomegranate Bracelet" by Kuprin comes to mind. The petty telephonist Yoltkov proved capable of a great spiritual feat. For many years he loves Princess Vera - without a hint of reciprocity, without any pretensions and claims. He loves and worships - like the Madonna, as a saint. Here it is, the highest manifestation of feeling! Here they are truly platonic relations!