Can you learn to love anyone?

Is there a huge difference between Arcita and Palamon that would have made either of them a better choice for Emily? Was Palamon meant to be with Emily all along, or would Emily learn to love Arcita 'so tenderly' if he didn't die?

"For Palamon from now on all is bliss, he lives in wealth and health and happiness, and Emily loves him so tenderly, and he loves and serves her so devotedly that between those two was never spoke a jealous word, nor so much as a cross one."

The Death of a Friend

Polamon and Arcite, despite their conflict in love interest, were still "cousins of the royal blood" (27) and were knit closely. When Arcite died, Polamon was still grieving, as "after the passage of some years... (Polamon was) dressed in his clothes of black, sorrowfully," (75) showing just how much his friend had meant to him.

*Boxing bell rings*

"But, granted that you loved her earlier, Have you forgot the old philosophic saw That goes like this, "All's fair in love and war"?" (Chaucer, Wright, Part One lines 1162-1165).

As soon as I saw them start to fight over the girl and read this line come out of Arctic's mouth I knew it was trouble. However, I would have thought that them being "brothers" at this point may have made them not go down this road, but I was wrong.

the weapon of the war

The beautiful Emelye.

Plenty of Fish in the Sea

Why is Arcita so hung up on Emily? I’m sure there are plenty of fish in the sea, especially since he’s a free man. What makes Emily so special other than her beauty?

So close yet so fair

Goo Goo Dolls- "Iris"

Love is a battlefield...

Both of these men love Emily very much. They both would do anything to be with her. Although they both cannot have her. They are willing to take up arms and fight each other. They are willing to battle and see who lives and who will get to love her. Neither want to hurt or upset her.