Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context Analysis / CelibateHero

Go To

1!! A list of Possible Reasons for Celibacy
2
3* "Love is A Distraction" - They have a job to do and can't risk being distracted by something as petty as a love life.
4* "True Love Doesn't Exist Anymore" - They are absolutely sickened by the sexual and/or romantic values of most if not all of the other characters, and find it sickening that anyone would even ''think'' that they would stoop to the same level. May come off to passers-by as merely haughtiness (and it certainly can be), but if the character in question remembers a world or a time in which their values still existed, were far more common, or were maybe even the standard, then it would be more accurate to say that the character looks at the current world as a WretchedHive and/or ViceCity and its inhabitants as immoral, awful people. Can often overlap with RebelliousRebel and BlackSheep. Sometimes overlaps with BreakTheCutie, TheWoobie (especially StoicWoobie), DoomedMoralVictor, WithFriendsLikeThese, and DefectorFromDecadence. It can even overlap with TheMcCoy, in which case the character may be a combination of two polar opposites: TheCynic and TheIdealist.
5* "Love is Beneath Me," related to the above - they believe that to be the ones the squad/city/world/universe can depend on, they have to be more powerful and more resolved than the average human being, and above the basest human instincts, especially if they are BadassNormal. See also LoveIsAWeakness.
6* "[[ItsNotYouItsMyEnemies I'm A Danger Magnet]]" - they are smart, and realize anyone they get close to or allow to approach them is very likely to [[CartwrightCurse shortly end up dead]].
7* They are maintaining a SecretIdentity, and fear exposure if they get too close to anyone. A [[TheCape Cape]] will frequently combine this reason with the "danger magnet" excuse, and settle for pining for their love interest from afar.
8* [[LoveHurts Bad romantic experiences in the past:]]
9** They fell for the wrong person, maybe TheVamp or someone who left them for someone else, and no longer trust other people.
10** They can't let go of [[TheLostLenore the memory of a dead lover]], especially if [[ILetGwenStacyDie they feel responsible for said lover's death]].
11* They are UsefulNotes/{{asexual}} and/or UsefulNotes/{{aromantic}} and ''choose'' to abstain from any and all sexual/romantic encounters. (Note that it's possible for asexuals and/or aromantics to not have interest in sex/romance but still be open to sex/romance under the right circumstances, so while being asexual/aromantic is not a choice, celibacy is always a conscious decision.)
12* Rare today is the idea that the heroes' powers ''rely'' on their [[VirginPower remaining celibate]], or that they are celibate out of religious or moral conviction. Most commonly this is found in fantasy settings, which may feature religious orders or mystical powers that may be influenced by sexual activity. Male examples are a rare find in a setting based in the real world, [[VirginShaming because a man is never, ever a virgin, and don't you dare claim otherwise]].
13* Occasionally, AntiHero or villains possessing PowerOfHate cannot afford to be weakened by the thought of having love.
14* They are heterosexual and [[HeManWomanHater abhor]] [[DoesNotLikeMen the opposite sex]] (more common among {{Anti Hero}}es, particularly male examples).
15* They do not feel that they are worthy of being loved (for any number of reasons).
16* They carry a curse that is passed down from parent to child, so they are simply trying to end the curse.
17* SorryImGay surrounded by an UnwantedHarem of the opposite sex.
18* [[VowOfCelibacy Their religious beliefs demand celibacy]]. If TheHero is a GoodShepherd, for instance, that would close off any love interest. This will likely come up in the form of temptation. Expect Buddhist (or any other celibate or abstinence associated religion) characters seeking to abstain from physical distractions to fit in here often.
19* Occasionally a case of [[SamusIsAGirl a Hero everyone thinks is male actually being female]], and pretending to be celibate, asexual or otherwise uninterested in physical relationships (and may be a case of [[HatesBeingTouched panicking whenever touched at all for this very reason]]) in order to avoid discovery. You can guarantee that someone is [[SweetOnPollyOliver going to try and pounce her anyway]], and discover their true identity. If it's an ally, they'll probably be sworn to secrecy. If they're an enemy, you can be assured they'll use it against the Hero, especially if she continues to keep it a secret from her fellow teammates.
20* The hero is not human, and [[WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove does not understand the concept of love]].
21* "[[YourDaysAreNumbered My Days Are Numbered]]" - They realize they are SecretlyDying and choose not to pursue a would-be {{Love Interest|s}} to avoid LoveHurts or leaving their spouses as a Widow(er) and a DisappearedDad or MissingMom to any kids they might have.
22* [[CommitmentIssues The heroes don't want to give up their freedom just to settle down with their love interests.]]
23* By contrast, he may have already fully pledged himself to his OneTrueLove and will not cheat on her with other females, but for various reasons they cannot be together yet (such as having an EngagementChallenge placed on him by his love's family, which is part of the current plot).
24* {{Workaholic}}: This hero doesn't have time for romantic relationships. They're too busy saving the world/patrolling the city/training ToBeAMaster/etc. This will likely be phrased as being "[[MarriedToTheJob married to [their] job]]".
25* They don't care. It's that simple.

Top