Diamond rings have long been a symbol of love and commitment in literature and poems. Their brilliance, durability, and rarity make them the perfect token of eternal love. In many cultures, diamond rings are used as engagement and wedding rings, representing the infinite bond between two people. One of the earliest examples of a diamond ring in literature can be found in Ovid’s Amores, written in the 1st century BC. In Book 2, Elegy 15, Ovid writes a poem to his beloved Corinna, addressing the diamond ring he is sending her. He describes the ring as a “symbol of our love” and prays that it will fit her perfectly and bring her joy. Diamond rings also appear frequently in Shakespeare’s plays. In The Merchant of Venice, Portia gives her lover Bassanio a ring as a token of her love and fidelity. She tells him that if he ever loses the ring, he will lose her as well. In The Tempest, Prospero gives his daughter Miranda a ring as a symbol of his love and protection. He tells her that the ring will protect her from harm and help her to find true love. In the 19th century, diamond rings became increasingly popular as engagement and wedding rings. This was due in part to the discovery of large diamond deposits in South Africa and the development of new cutting and polishing techniques. As a result, diamonds became more affordable and accessible to a wider range of people. The Victorian era was particularly known for its elaborate and ornate diamond rings. These rings were often decorated with intricate engravings and multiple gemstones. One of the most famous examples is the Hope Diamond, which was given to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert on their wedding day. Diamond rings have also been featured in many modern works of literature and poetry. For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan wears a diamond necklace that is a symbol of her wealth and status. In Sylvia Plath’s poem “Diamond Hard,” the speaker compares her heart to a diamond, describing it as “cold and hard and bright.” In recent years, diamond rings have also been used in literature and poetry to explore themes of gender, sexuality, and identity. For example, in the novel The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth, the protagonist Cameron Post is given a diamond ring by her aunt as a symbol of her heteronormative identity. However, Cameron rejects the ring and her aunt’s expectations, embracing her own queer identity. Diamond rings continue to be a popular and powerful symbol in literature and poetry today. Their beauty, durability, and rarity make them the perfect representation of eternal love and commitment.
Here are some additional examples of diamond rings in literature and poems:
- In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Mr. Darcy gives Elizabeth Bennet a diamond ring as a proposal of marriage.
- In The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Arwen gives Aragorn a diamond ring as a token of her love and to symbolize their engagement.
- In The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Hazel Grace Lancaster wears a diamond necklace that is a symbol of her love for Augustus Waters.
- In the poem “Diamond Ring” by Edwina Reizer, the speaker describes the diamond ring she received from her lover, but also the pain and betrayal she felt when he left her.
- In the poem “Engagement Ring” by Anne Sexton, the speaker discusses the complex emotions that come with receiving an engagement ring, including excitement, fear, and uncertainty.
Diamond rings have been a source of fascination and inspiration for writers and poets for centuries. Their beauty, durability, and symbolism make them the perfect representation of love, commitment, and eternity.