The Best Literary Friendships and What We Can Learn from Them

Cover illustration by Anna Wu. | Your best friend is the person you enjoy being around more than anyone else in the world. You have spectacular adventures together and tell each other everything. You probably also know exactly how to get on each other’s nerves. All relationships are complicated, but these heart-warming literary friendships can teach us so much about what we value in our friends.

1. Rosalind and Celia, As You Like It

Rosalind and Celia are cousins whose love is ‘dearer than the natural bond of sisters’. As such, they decide to flee to the Forest of Arden together rather than be separated. They are two of Shakespeare’s cleverest heroines, who challenge each other intellectually and pass their time in verbal sparring matches, such as when they debate the cruel apathy of Lady Fortune. They are a perfectly matched pair who are delightful to watch. Their friendship reminds us how rare yet amazing it is to meet someone and instantly click with them.