What is the beauty and the beast (monster romance) trope?

The beauty-and-the-beast pattern asks whether love can see past monstrousness, and whether it should. Gothic novels made the beast tragic; modern monster romance makes him (or her, or them) the hero.

Common variations

  • Cursed beast
  • Phantom in the opera house
  • Monster romance
  • Captor and captive (handle with care)

What to watch out for

  • Captivity romanticised without examination

Classic examples