Well, I think first it was rare for me to do anything that had

Hear now the words of Tim Roth, who reflects upon the rarity of engaging with a romantic theme in his body of work: "Well, I think first it was rare for me to do anything that had any kind of a romantic note to it." In this simple yet profound statement, Roth speaks to the challenge many artists face when they are tasked with embodying emotions that are often viewed as soft or idealized—like romance—in a world that often celebrates the gritty or complex. For Roth, the role of the romantic figure was an unusual one, perhaps one he did not often seek or see himself as embodying. Yet in this rare moment of acknowledgment, there lies a deeper truth: that the romantic journey is not always one of ease, but one of growth, vulnerability, and self-discovery.

In the ancient world, the notion of romantic love was not simply about passion or affection; it was a complex and sometimes tragic pursuit. Take, for example, the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe, whose love was thwarted by the cruel hand of fate. Their story, while romantic, was marked by misunderstandings and loss, reminding us that love often involves pain, sacrifice, and the vulnerability of giving oneself to another. Roth’s reluctance to engage with the romantic note may stem from a similar understanding—that love is not a simple or lighthearted affair, but one fraught with both joy and heartache, something that the modern artist, like the ancient storytellers, must approach with both caution and reverence.

Yet romantic love has always been central to the human experience, shaping much of the literature, art, and philosophy of the ancients. Plato’s Symposium, for example, explores the nature of love not just as physical attraction but as a journey toward the divine and the eternal. In this dialogue, Socrates speaks of love as a force that elevates the soul, guiding it from the material world to a deeper understanding of truth and beauty. To be romantic, in this sense, is not just to seek affection but to strive for a connection that transcends the earthly, to experience the divinity of love in all its forms. Roth, by contrast, reflects a realism about romance, recognizing its complexity and the challenge of portraying such an ideal in a world where romance is often reduced to clichés or superficial notions of perfection.

In many ways, Roth’s statement echoes a modern disillusionment with the idealization of romance that often pervades popular culture. Romantic stories are often seen through the lens of fantasy, where love is uncomplicated and always leads to a perfect ending. Yet the ancients understood, as Roth might, that true romance—like the great love stories of history—is not about effortless beauty or unattainable ideals, but about human struggle, vulnerability, and the willingness to sacrifice for another. In the story of Achilles and Patroclus, we see love in its most tragic and heroic form. Achilles’ love for Patroclus, though deeply romantic, is not without its complexities. Their bond is ultimately marked by loss, and it is this tragic element that gives their love a heroic depth. The love that Roth speaks of is not something to be approached lightly; it is the deeply felt and often painful truth of human connection.

Roth’s reluctance to embrace the romantic note in his own work may also reflect the fear that in doing so, he would risk vulnerability—a vulnerability that opens the door to the complexities and difficulties of love. The ancient heroes and heroines, like Hercules, were often driven by love, yet their relationships were never simple or devoid of challenge. In Hercules’ labors, we see a hero who is shaped by love’s demands and its sacrifices, whose path is constantly altered by the relationships he forms. For the modern actor, portraying romantic love requires a willingness to engage with the full spectrum of human emotion—to portray not just the joy of love, but the sorrow, betrayal, and sacrifice that often accompany it. In this sense, Roth’s distance from the romantic note reflects a reluctance to engage with that depth.

Thus, O wise ones, there is a lesson in Roth’s words for us all: that love, in its true form, is not a fairytale or a simple emotion. It is a journey that requires both courage and vulnerability. To be romantic is not to embrace a perfect world where love is without pain, but to accept that romance, in its truest sense, demands sacrifice, transformation, and self-awareness. In the same way that the ancient heroes were defined not by their victories, but by the struggles and losses that shaped them, so too must we understand that true love is found not in the absence of difficulty, but in the willingness to embrace it with an open heart.

In your own life, O seekers, let romance not be an ideal to be idolized but a force to be engaged with fully, in all its beauty and complexity. Do not shy away from love because of its challenges, but embrace it as the powerful force it is, capable of both great joy and sorrow. Like the ancient poets and heroes, allow romantic love to be a transformative journey, one that shapes your soul and defines the deepest parts of who you are. Embrace love in its imperfection, and know that in doing so, you open yourself to a life of true connection and growth.