What are the common elements in a bittersweet love story?
Time can be an element. Sometimes lovers are separated by time, like in time - travel love stories. And the idea of lost love or love that could have been is also prevalent. The memories of the good times and the pain of not being able to fully have that love anymore create the bittersweet feeling. For example, in some stories where a character has passed away, the remaining lover is left with a bittersweet memory of their time together.
External obstacles often play a big role. It could be war, like in 'Doctor Zhivago', where the chaos of the Russian revolution disrupts the love between Yuri and Lara. Also, miscommunication is common. A simple misunderstanding can lead to a rift in a relationship, adding to the bittersweetness. In a lot of stories, the lovers may have different life goals which also cause a strain on their love.
One common element is unrequited love at some point. For example, in many stories, one person may love the other deeply, but the feeling isn't immediately reciprocated. Another is separation. This could be due to various reasons like family, society, or distance. For instance, Romeo and Juliet were separated by their feuding families.
