Love Triangle (trope)

Tropes and genres
Related tropes/genres	Love Quadrangle
See also	Threesome, OT3, Polyamory
Related articles on Fanlore.

A Love Triangle is a common writing trope. Although often thought of as trope used mostly in romance and young adult fiction, it can be found a variety of genres, sometimes as the main focus of the narrative or as a secondary storyline.

Love triangles differ from polyamory, as it usually involved two people competing for the affection of one, and being at odds with each other. A love triangle is a "V," with two relationships intersecting at one point.

[Urban Dictionary's definition]
When two people both love a third person, and that third often loves them both. The object of their love may be conflicted as to whom he/she wants, […]

In fandom, love triangle can lead to Ship Wars between supporters of two potential pairs. Both sides show their support for and belief that their ship will be endgame. The supporters of the relationship that is not endgame usually feel aggrieved, while the fans of the endgame ship are considered to have "won" the ship war. As an alternate, the three characters may be shipped together in a 3TP.

Canonical Love Triangles

The use of love triangles in books, films, series and plays is quite common. Below is a small list of examples from different fandoms:

• Arthurian Legend:
  Guinevere, King Arthur, and Lancelot.
  • Endgame: King Arthur/Guinevere

• Beverly Hills, 90210:
  Brenda Walsh, Dylan McKay, and Kelly Taylor.
  • Endgame: Kelly x Dylan

• Dawson's Creek:
  Pacey Witter, Joey Potter, and Dawson Leery.
  • Endgame: Joey Potter/Pacey Witter

• Merlin:
  Gwen, Arthur Pendragon, and Lancelot.
  • Endgame: Arthur/Gwen

• Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, and Gale Hawthorne (The Hunger Games): Katniss/Peeta is endgame over Katniss/Gale.
• Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, and Jacob Black (Twilight): Edward/Bella was endgame over Jacob/Bella
• Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, and Veronica Lodge (Archie Comics)
• Lori Grimes, Rick Grimes, and Shane Walsh (The Walking Dead)
• Elena Gilbert, Stefan Salvatore, and Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries) - Damon/Elena was endgame over Elena/Stefan
• Finn Collins, Clarke Griffin, and Raven Reyes (The 100)
• Miaka Yuki, Tamahome, and Hotohori (Fushigi Yuugi): Miaka/Tamahome is endgame.
• Carrot Glacé and sisters Tira Misu and Chocolat Misu (Sorcerer Hunters): Carrot/Tira is endgame in the manga, it's unresolved in the anime but the sisters admit they're willing to share Carrot

Fanwork Examples

Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples.

Hanson

• Angels Would Fall by Morgan, in which a family friend has secret relationships with both Taylor and Zac.
• Oklahoma Living by Miss Dodger Blue, in which Taylor's girlfriend begins seeing Zac behind his back.
• You Irritate Me by Nat, in which Zac's best friend begins hooking up with Taylor, creating in rift in their friendship.

Resources

• Wikipedia
• TV Tropes