What is 權宜之計的婚姻?

權宜之計的婚姻是一種浪漫情節裝置,兩個角色為了實際原因而結婚——金錢、地位、法律保護,或社會壓力——而非一開始的愛情。故事探討義務與相近如何發展成真正的情感,或揭示更深的衝突。

在虛構作品中,權宜之計的婚姻始於兩人為解決一個迫切且非浪漫性的問題而進入的婚姻安排(繼承規則、移民、商業聯盟、家庭期待,或安全考量)。與衝動的愛情配對不同,這種搭配是契約性的,往往伴隨明確定義的條款或界限。常見的敘事節點包括協商交易、被迫同居或共同承擔責任、對不同價值觀的摩擦、逐漸的情感軟化,以及角色面對自己真實情感或該安排後果的轉折點。變體可涵蓋歷史攝政時代背景到現代職場聯盟,且這一套路也可能與敵人轉變為情人、假婚姻設置,或酷兒愛情相交叉。優秀的處理要注意同意、權力不平等,以及可信的情感發展。

Usage example

在《無盡的浪漫》中,你可能會為了保護家族地產而接受一段權宜之計的婚姻——初始場景設定契約條款,之後的選擇決定這段安排是否會發展為溫柔的夥伴關係、策略聯盟,或痛苦的分離。

Practical application

作家與互動式故事設計師使用這一題材,是因為它自然而然地創造出張力、約束,以及促成長期親密關係的機會,推動角色發展與玩家選擇。它提供了持續互動的內在理由(室友、商業伙伴,或公開的情侶關係),非常適合分支敘事與緩慢發展的浪漫。對創作者而言,這是一個彈性十足的框架,用於探索信任、義務與身份——而設計師則應周到地處理同意與權力不平等的動態,並提供可信的情感弧線與後果。

FAQ

How is a marriage of convenience different from a fake marriage or a sham wedding?

They overlap, but subtle differences exist: a fake marriage is often a short-term deception or ruse (pretending to be married for an event), while a marriage of convenience is a formal, usually legally binding arrangement entered for practical reasons. A sham wedding can be either, depending on whether the marriage is meant to be legitimate or merely performative.

Why is this trope so popular in romance fiction?

It creates instant stakes, forced proximity, and clear external pressures—ideal for slow-burn tension and emotional payoff. Readers enjoy watching practical arrangements evolve into real affection and the moral/relational tests that follow.

Can a marriage of convenience lead to a healthy relationship, or is it inherently problematic?

It can lead to a healthy, loving partnership in fiction, but handling power imbalances, consent, and realistic consequences matters. Strong stories show mutual growth, negotiation of needs, and accountability rather than romanticizing coercion.