Is it possible to have friendships like these in real life? There’s something so compelling about reading through the development of a beautiful literary friendship. Watching characters we grow to love meet like-minded people, partners, soulmates, pals, and partners-in-crime gives us unexplainable satisfaction: we’re somehow even more a part of the story because we are a part of a close friendship.
This blog celebrates some particularly notable friendships between and among some of our favorite fictional characters.
1. Harry Potter, Hermione Grainger, and Ron Weasley from The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
“I’m not as good as you,” said Harry, very embarrassed, as she let go of him.
“Me!” said Hermione. “Books! And cleverness! There are more important things — friendship and bravery and — oh Harry — be careful!”
Of course they are one of the top fictional friendships. They embody the very meaning of friendship. They are supportive, they challenge and question each other, and they complete each other. None of these characters would be whole without the others. Hermione would be an insufferable know-it-all, Ron would become a deadbeat, and Harry would just bumble around lost all the time. But together, Harry is the moral compass and the steady rock–the character who is always looking out: trying to learn how to be a part of this new world; Hermione brings the intellectual prowess needed to navigate the world as they grow up and life becomes more and more complex; and Ron keeps things light–he humanizes them all, ensuring that the other two never fall too deep within themselves.
Their mutual relationship is enviable to the extreme: who wouldn’t want what these guys have?
Source: Giphy
2. Hamlet and Horatio from Hamlet by William Shakespeare
“Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!…”~ Horatio
This is a more complex friendship, but ridiculously strong regardless. Throughout this play, Hamlet is obviously the main character, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern seem to be his friends, and Horatio is just some kind of narrative voice, the voice of the audience: right?
Nope! Janet Witalec quotes Keith Doubt when he said: “There are three types of friendship in the play: the loyal friendship that Horatio sustains with the Prince; the ultimately self-serving friendship extended by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern; and the friendship that the dying Laertes offers.” The shallow friendships of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern lead Hamlet and themselves to bitter ends. However, Horatio’s sole goal throughout the book is to uplift Hamlet–to the point that he ensures Hamlet‘s immortality by promising to tell his story forever. Now that’s some kind of friend.
3. Elizabeth Bennet and Charlotte Lucas from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.”
This is a sad sort of amazing friendship. These are the friends that were torn apart by forces out of their control. Elizabeth Bennet and Charlotte Lucas are the childhood friends that grew up to find that the world was cold and calculating. As children, they could connect because their families were in similar “circumstances” and they could bond over their wit and adventurousness.
But as adults, they were pressed with difficult questions, and both responded differently. Thus, perhaps, promoting the above quote from Elizabeth.
However, best friends are friends for life, and Charlotte and Elizabeth are no different.
Source: Giphy
4. Daniel Dreiberg and Rorschach from Watchmen by Alan Moore
“Daniel? You are a good friend.”
These two may seem like an unlikely pair to make this list, but hear me out. They are both harsh and pretty wrapped up in themselves: Rorschach with his purifying-the-world’s-filth agenda, and Daniel with his pity party. But when they band together, they make an amazing superhero (anti-superhero?) team that solves problems, communicates well, and holds each other to standards that, alone, neither could hold themselves to.
Source: Voices From Krypton
5. Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
“That’s what I meant,’ said Pippin. ‘We hobbits ought to stick together, and we will. I shall go, unless they chain me up. There must be someone with intelligence in the party.”
~ Pippin
Perhaps the best and purest example of friendship in this article: Merry and Pippin. These two truly embrace who they are as individuals and as a pair. They hold firmly to their habits and beliefs (second breakfasts, smoking pipe weed, general lounging and lazing about). And yet, when one of them or one of their fellowship needs help, there’s no question: these two launch into action. They are resourceful and daring, yet somehow so casual about it. It’s that staying-true-to-themselves thing: even though they miss home, together, they create home wherever they go. And they make big waves in the world, for being so small.
Source: Giphy
Share this list with your BFF and comment below, which fictional friendships would you add to this list?
YouTube Channel: BooksforMKs
Featured image via TES
