# Love and Sacrifice in Conan Stories

> Theme guide for Conan Stories by Robert E. Howard.

Passionate, often fatalistic love drives characters like Bêlit and Olivia to extreme acts of devotion and self-sacrifice, transcending death and danger for their beloved.

## Where it surfaces

- [Queen of the Black Coast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/queen-of-the-black-coast): The intense romance between Conan and Bêlit, culminating in her sacrificial death and Conan's grief-driven vengeance.
- [II: The Black Lotus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii-the-black-lotus): Bêlit's declaration that her love is stronger than death and her vow to return from the abyss to aid Conan highlight the theme of transcendent love.
- [IV: The Attack from the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-the-attack-from-the-air): Bêlit's spirit returns from death to shield Conan, demonstrating a love that transcends the grave.
- [V: The Funeral Pyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/v-the-funeral-pyre): Conan honors Bêlit with a ceremonial pyre, sacrificing her to the sea as an act of love and final tribute.
- [III: Khemsa Uses Magic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-khemsa-uses-magic): The maid's passionate love for Khemsa drives her to betray her mistress and push him to rebel against his masters.
- [VI: The Mountain of the Black Seers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vi-the-mountain-of-the-black-seers): Khemsa's love for Gitara both empowers and ultimately defeats him, as the Seers exploit it.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/themes/love_and_sacrifice
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/themes