Jealousy is a common theme in literature. It can be shown through a character’s feelings of insecurity and anxiety, usually over something or someone that character can’t have. It can also be shown through the spectrum of human relationships. Jealousy is often a theme throughout novels with a love triangle between characters. Most people have felt jealous at some point and can relate to this theme.
Revenge is a way for characters to get back at others for some wrongdoing, either perceived or real. A character believes a revengeful act will help right a wrong. In literary pieces, feelings leading to revenge often stem from a misunderstanding between characters, resulting in the revenge-seeker regretting the revengeful act once he’s realized it was all a misunderstanding. Many Shakespearean plays deal with revenge as a theme or sub-theme.
Many novels are called “romance novels” because the theme of romance is in the primary theme in their stories. Romance involves a love story of some sort and can depict the heroic and adventurous journey between two characters as they fall in or out of love or overcome obstacles to their love.
Courage is the ability to get past fear and confront danger head-on. Strong-willed and courageous characters appeal to many readers, either because they identify with them or they wish they were more like them. The theme of courage can be shown through a character as she journeys to find the courage within herself.
Ambition is the drive that pushes characters to achieve something. This theme is often used in coming-of-age stories, demonstrating a character’s growth throughout the years or through their ability to get past challenging circumstances and learn from them. "Great Expectations," by Charles Dickens, shows ambition through Pip’s development and desire to better himself.