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Manon Lescaut Essay

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Submitted By habek
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The Other Romance in Manon Lescaut Manon Lescaut by The Abbe Prevost is a traditional love story between “star-crossed” male and female lovers. However, it is also the story of a "bromantic" relationship between Chevalier des Grieux and his loyal friend Tiberge. In recent years, “bromance” is has become trendy in television and films, such as the ongoing close platonic relationships among characters in the television series House (Dr. House and Dr. Wilson) or in movies such I Love You, Man and the Hangover series. However, Manon Lescaut is evidence that this idea of strong male friendship is not a new concept. In the article “A Fine Bromance,” Jon Elder traces this theme of strong male friendship back to Aristotle, who wrote that this type of relationship involves “those who desire the good of their friends for the friends' sake … because each loves the other for what he is.” Throughout Manon Lescaut, whenever the Chevalier des Grieux encounters a problem that seems to have no resolution, he turns to Tiberge, who he says "loved me with singular affection" (Prevost 8) and refers to throughout the book with terms such as "ever-faithful" (Prevost 106) and "generous and unshaken friend" (Prevost 107). There are several parallels in the “bromance” between Tiberge and the Chevalier des Grieux and the romance between des Grieux and Manon Lescaut. First, just as des Grieux always appears to rescue Manon Lescaut when she disappoints and even betrays him, Tiberge always comes through for des Grieux when he most needs someone. Whenever des Grieux needs help, he goes to Tiberge and Tiberge helps him out. While des Grieux repeatedly disappoints Tiberge, he remains devoted, just as des Grieux remains devoted to Manon Lescaut despite her letting him down repeatedly. In another clear parallel, because of his intense

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