What is the marriage of convenience trope?

The wedding comes first and the romance second. A marriage of convenience — for money, inheritance, alliance or protection — lets the couple discover each other inside the intimacy of a shared home. It's a historical romance staple and increasingly popular in fantasy.

Common variations

  • Arranged political marriage
  • Marriage to satisfy a will
  • Green card marriage

What to watch out for

  • Power imbalance left unexamined

Classic examples