“Lovers of Unreason: Why Ted Hughes-Sylvia Plath Relationship Did Not Work Out?"

Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath are regarded as the most famed literary couple of modern times. Any reading or understanding of the poems of either of the writers would not be complete if we do not have any knowledge of their turbulent relationship that ended with the tragedy of Sylvia's suicide. Both iconic poets in their own, it is very unfortunate that people remember them more for their ill-fated relationship than their poetic gifts, especially in the case of Sylvia Plath. Saying all that we must take for granted that such emphasis to personal affairs is a necessity. A look into the history of their relationship will help us in better understanding of their poems since both Sylvia and Hughes gave much emphasis on the subjectivity of literary art. Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes were not made for each other, still, they committed themselves to the relationship and thus they brought their own downfall. So, it could be said that their relationship was vitiated ab initio, i.e., right from the very beginning and both Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath were fatalistic in their attitude; they were like the moths that fly towards the fire. Though Ted Hughes knew the escape route, Sylvia Plath did know how to come out of it. Notwithstanding this difference between them, it could safely be said that both were responsible to some extent for their own fate. They were illogical, impulsive and driven by blind Eros.