A Heart Full of Love

“A Heart Full of Love” from the musical Les Miserables (one of my absolute favorites!)
From left to right: Eponine, Marius, Cosette

Eponine has been in love with Marius for a very long time, but Marius met Cosette and they both immediately fell in love. This song is a combination of Marius and Cosette professing their love for one another, and Eponine realizing that Marius will never love her.

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“The romantic” is constructed in many ways during this scene in the musical. The theme of “love at first sight” is definitely on that resonates with a lot of people. Marius sings about how much he loves her, yet confesses that he does not even know her name and “a single look and then I knew”. The idea of finding your soul mate and just “knowing” right away is a powerful desire. Additionally, the time period (1800s) and location (France) of the scene adds to its appeal.

Above all, the musical aspect, to me, is the most romantic part of the scene. The idea of two people coming together, in love and song is one that always moves me. Beautiful voices and melodies weave together to create a flawless performance. Also the unrealistic circumstance that two people are able to sing perfectly together (lyrics, rhythm, melody, harmony) spontaneously just promotes its romantic and unattainable nature.

Yet along with this romanticized love story of Marius and Cosette is the reality of Eponine’s with her painful realization that his words of love are “words he’ll never say, not to me”. Eponine’s heartache only heightens the appeal of Marius and Cosette’s situation. It shows the two extremes of un-requited love and true love. It portrays love as a rare, beautiful thing that is not available to everyone. If everyone was easily able to find “true love”, it immediately loses its appeal.

The message that this scene is sending is that there is true love out there, but that not everyone is fortunate enough to experience it. Eponine’s perspective of the scene further develops the romantic aspects because it verifies how rare two people both falling in love with each other is. It increases the desirability of finding your one true love. It also creates an illusion of love for the viewer and validates the “love at first sight” and “true love” notions.