Wuthering Heights: Heathcliff vs Edgar

[sdr4jc]

The contrast between H and Edgar is astounding to me. I dare say that H loved Catherine infinitely more than Edgar, and yet he proved it well when he continued to plague her with his presence just before her death. And although Edgar truly loved her as his wife, and as he should, H's love was much more passionate and deep-rooted. His love was tickling violence. Who would you guys say loved her better?

[13blackroses]

Edgar definately loved her, but Catherine and Heathcliff were soulmates - they were really always meant to be.

[Pensive]

I would say that it was Heathcliff who loved her more than Edgar but it was Edgar who loved her FOR better. (I mean that Edgar loved Cathy positively)

[sdr4jc]

I think you guys are right. I think that true love is true love, and whether it becomes violent is aside from the point. Although violent love is beyond my understanding, it is not beyond reason. Heathcliff and Edgar are perfect foils of each other. And Catherine's ultimate death confirms (for me at least) that pursuing superficial love can cost you your life on many, many levels. Her heart and mind began to self-destruct long before her body did.

[Flora]

I find both, Heatcliff's and Edgar's love equally strong. Very different, but they would both do anything for Catherine.
Catherine and Heatcliff were meant for each other, they were soulmates, but I agree with Penisive, that Edgar's love was positive. Heatcliff didn't seem to have a place in his heart for anything or anyone but Catherine, and so his love for her ruined everything else.

[sdr4jc]

Positive love...that's a good term for it. Yeah, because Heathcliff's love, although deeper and stronger, wasn't always positively displayed. Edgar's love was always "safe" and was more practical. But, as life teaches us, practical love isn't always the best choice. At the risk of rattling off a cliche, sometimes you just have to go with your heart, not your head.

[Flora]

Maybe heatcliff's love wouldn't be that negative either if he was together with Catherine?

[sdr4jc]

You know, I think you're right. But if that were the case, then we wouldn't have this wonderful story, would we?! It's far more interesting to read when stuff goes wrong, isn't it??!!

[downing]

,,Wuthering Heights'' is presented as the tragic novel of 19th century which has in th centre of it the diabolic love beetween Heathcliff, a gypsy, and Catherine Earnshaw. Edgar also loved Catherine but I guess it was a normal love, and saying normal I do not wish to say it was regular or unsignificat. I want to say it was a love which human beings can feel, a beautiful love. Heatcliff's love was strong,passionate,huge and I do not know which one is better...both Heathcliff and Edgar loved her in the most powerful way they could do it. So, Edgar too,loved her to the extent of his heart could love.