Ice Cold Decisions: Romance in the Frozen Universe
When it comes to the Frozen franchise, romantic love has always played second fiddle to sisterly love. The bond between Anna and Elsa, the royal siblings at the heart of this icy tale, has been the emotional backbone of the series. Yet, as we anxiously await Frozen 3, there’s chatter about whether Elsa should finally find romantic love. Should she? Nah, and here’s why.
Love Is An Open Door, But Maybe Not for Elsa
In the original 2013 film, Anna’s infatuation with a man she just met, Hans, appeared to be true love. This fantasy shattered soon enough, revealing the story’s true focus—sisterly love, embodied in Elsa and Anna’s relationship. Elsa, who at that time had her hands full with icy problems, showed no interest in seeking love. She had to learn to accept her powers and repair her relationship with Anna.
“In Frozen, Elsa had shut out everyone she loved, fearing she might hurt them… This meant that romance was out of the question for Elsa. Instead, the center of her story was learning to embrace her powers and let Anna in, thus repairing their relationship.”
Show Yourself: Elsa’s Journey of Self-Discovery
Frozen 2 followed Elsa on a path of self-acceptance that extended beyond her relationship with Anna. She discovered that she is the Fifth Spirit of the Enchanted Forest, giving her a whole new sense of purpose. The movie suggests that Elsa’s development should be more about individual growth rather than finding a romantic partner.
“Being accepted and loved by Anna was a great start, but Elsa needed to learn to love herself, which meant discovering her purpose. This is summed up by the line sung by Queen Iduna in ‘Show Yourself’: ‘You are the one you’ve been waiting for all of your life.'”
The Honeymaren Conundrum: Why Romance Isn’t Needed
The introduction of Honeymaren in Frozen 2 got tongues wagging, with many fans speculating that a romantic plotline could be in the cards for Elsa in Frozen 3. While the idea of Elsa finding love isn’t necessarily a bad one, it would undermine what makes her character so unique and relatable—her independence and focus on personal growth.
“Considering the uniqueness of Elsa’s romance-free story, it would be disappointing to see this change going into Frozen 3.”
Happily Ever After, No Prince Required
Sure, Anna and Kristoff may get hitched in Frozen 3 (they did get engaged in Frozen 2, after all), but that doesn’t mean Elsa has to follow the same formula. If Elsa has taught us anything, it’s that romantic love isn’t the only form of love worth exploring on the big screen.
“The trend between Frozen and Frozen 2 is that there is more to life than finding a romantic partner… the impactful trend of Elsa’s story could be continued in Frozen 3 with some further personal growth.”
Love or Not, Elsa Remains a Queen
As fans, we should celebrate the uniqueness of Elsa’s narrative arc, one that has so far focused on self-discovery, familial bonds, and acceptance. Shoving a love interest into the mix for Frozen 3 would be a disservice to the character and the story’s authentic charm. Elsa’s life doesn’t have to follow the same romantic script that so many female characters are given, and that’s perfectly okay. After all, she’s a queen, with or without a king.
