Discussion: Does House Perceive Himself As A Romantic Figure?

[cuddyclothes]

As I've been editing "The Princess and The Peeved,"  I run up against the character in canon, and wonder about certain reactions he has.  It's a little too complicated, but it made me wonder

Comments

[blackmare]

Good question. I think House has trouble ever acknowledging the more positive side of his nature, even to himself, so ... no, I don't think he sees himself as a romantic, even though in many ways he is, and an idealist to boot.

He sees himself as the guy who pays for sex. He's comfy with that. Less so with the fact that when he loves someone, he'll do damn near anything for them.

[cuddyclothes]

He sees himself as the guy who pays for sex. He's comfy with that. Less so with the fact that when he loves someone, he'll do damn near anything for them.

Interesting. I certainly don't think he sees himself as romantic for what he does for those he loves. Could I have made that sentence less clear??

[brindlewolf]

Great question. ♥ I think in canon House does not see himself as a romantic figure. Canon House doesn't like himself and doesn't expect anyone else to like him either … so he never gives them the chance. I think House is in awe of Wilson “sticking around”, and so basically dedicates his life to looking after Wilson in his own way. House does respect and admire himself, and demands that respect from others, but he probably feels beyond the reach of another's love. “I've been alienating people since I was three years old”. Down inside House considers himself to be noble, but doesn't think anyone else will ever be able to see that - so he goes to great pains to disguise it “I don't sacrifice self”. When someone earns House's respect and loyalty, he will do anything for them. We've even seen that with patients in canon … but House would argue that it isn't anything to do with feelings or love. He mocks those feelings because he doesn't think he will ever receive or deserve them. He pushes and tests Wilson constantly … half

[menolly_au]

I think he's a bit conflicted. I don't think he thinks of himself as a 'romantic figure' - he doesn't think of himself as a 'good catch' at all, there was a lot of truth in the words he spoke to Cameron on their 'date'. He doubts that he can be enough for the women in his life - Stacy and Cuddy primarily. I think he sees Wilson sometimes as merely tolerating him, and he's okay with that. I doubt that he really knows the depth of Wilson's feelings for him.

On the other hand I think he's a bit of a closet romantic - he'd like to believe in happiness, and romance, and happily ever after but he just can't make himself be that person. He's continually disappointed by the failed marriages/romances he sees paraded by his fellows and POTWs (and the example in his own life). He doesn't *want* to be cynical but life has made him that way.

[sassyjumper]

On the other hand I think he's a bit of a closet romantic - he'd like to believe in happiness, and romance, and happily ever after but he just can't make himself be that person

I think so, too.

[alternatealto]

"I'm an addict. I dial everything up to 11."I'm not trying to say that House only defines himself in terms of his addiction -- and of course we can debate for hours over whether House's relationship to Vicodin is actual addiction or medical dependency. (Personally, I think it is more of a dependency, particularly after his time at Mayfield. He seemed to use less of the stuff after S6. And, tellingly, he was willing to give Wilson his last Vicodin tablets, something I'm not sure an active addict would be capable of doing

[yarroway]

You make really good points here. I agree with you (and in terms of the Vicodin, I think it's both).

[yarroway]

I've been thinking about this post all day