Love in Excess

Throughout the novel, various characters abruptly fall in love virtually at first sight. The intense passion can signal either genuine and enduring love, or a more malignant and obsessive fixation. In both cases, Love in Excess consistently emphasizes the irresistible power of passion.

Two of the most devoted couples in the novel, D’elmont and Melliora and Frankville and Camilla, both fall instantly in love with one another. Upon seeing Melliora for the first time, D’elmont’s “heart which had so long been impregnable surrendered in a moment” (86). Frankville likewise describes “the surprize—the love—the adoration which this fatal view involved [him] in” (191) after glimpsing Camilla for the first time. Both men fall in love without any conversation or opportunity to assess compatibility, revealing that they operate from pure emotion rather than any sort of rational assessment. This experience of falling in love also likely privileges beautiful individuals.

However, this rapid and impulsive experience ends up yielding love that is both enduring and mutual. Although it takes some time before the couples are able to confirm it, Melliora and Camilla instantly reciprocate, and in both cases the bonds forged between the couples end up being deeply enduring.