Monsters that Want You to Want Them
Love is a Battlefield
It’s that pesky romantic holiday that has its origins in the executions and martyrdoms of two different catholic priest. Valentine of Rome would supposedly marry Roman soldiers who were forbidden to marry, wearing an amethyst ring with an engraving of cupid on it. He also refused to convert to Roman paganism and tried to convert the emperor to Christianity. The emperor didn’t care for either of those things and executed Valentine. The day originated as a Christian feast day to celebrate these martyrs but eventually transformed into a day to celebrate romance and love.
It is fascinating (and probably appropriate) that love is so often connected to violence in mythology, folklore, and history. There are many humans that can’t separate love from obsession. There are also many monsters that will lure you to your death using romance. Many of them share the ability to lure their prey to their demises with the power of seduction. It is very true that we all want to be loved, and no human can…