Final answer:
The theme of unrequited love is a common motif in literature and can be found in various works across different time periods and cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of unrequited love is a common motif in literature and can be found in various works across different time periods and cultures. In Renaissance love poetry, such as Petrarch, Shakespeare, and Spenser, the theme of unrequited love is explored to delve into deeper aspects of the human experience, such as religion, self-identity, and the nature of relationships and love itself. Similarly, in The Tale of Genji, one of the central themes is the forbidden love and unrequited longing of the main character, Genji, for Lady Fujitsubo.