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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/30152
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/30152
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

+1 Mark's answer, subplots often provide counterpoint. They can also provide examples of the alternative outcomes for the hero.

In the case of Thor and Jane (or Superman and Lois) The subplot adds **_stakes_** : Saving the world is not enough, now there is a personal stake as well.

I'm not familiar with the Thor/Jane plot so I will use Superman/Lois. To generalize that idea; the subplot may be used to introduce a plausible distraction, stumbling block or difficult complications for the hero: Superman wants a personal romantic relationship with Lois but cannot reveal his identity, and this becomes a terribly complicated mess between being meek and awkward Clark Kent (his disguise) working beside Lois (who treats Clark dismissively) and being Superman that Lois adores, but Superman cannot be with Lois without endangering her life.

**_Or_** the opposite: a subplot can provide an unexpected source of support for the hero. e.g. Lois, out of love for Superman, may risk her life to break his confinement by kryptonite, which is a turning point in the story so he can win the day.

That does not make sense without **_some_** subplot, it would be a deus ex machina if instead of Lois (with a reason to be there and a motivation to risk her life) it was some passing stranger, a walk-on in the story never seen again.

In many cases, romantic subplots are conflicts within a person; a conflict within themselves: e.g, the reader knows _David has a choice. Doing his duty and saving the country means he will die; he will not survive the explosion if he triggers it. He will never see Elaine again, the love of his life. He will never see their child be born and he will miss all the joy he imagined of that child becoming an adult. All of these are in his head. Will he pull the trigger? Could I pull the trigger?_

Without the subplot of David meeting, courting, and winning Elaine, getting married and pregnant, imagining his future life: This kind of scene becomes shallow. Just a mention of this at some point in the book isn't enough, the reader needs to have invested time with David imagining this arc of him and Elaine to know he is truly in love, and making the decision to chop this arc short is a heartbreaking struggle for him. It has to be a subplot (with its own challenges and problems to overcome). Otherwise his sacrifice doesn't feel meaningful.

Original score: 2