"Broken Hearts" is one of several Gilbert plays, including "The Wicked World", "Princess Ida", "Fallen Fairies" and "Iolanthe", where the introduction of males into a tranquil world of women brings "mortal love" that wreaks havoc with the peaceful status quo. Stedman calls this a "Gilbertian invasion plot". The play examines both human frailties: vanity, misplaced trust, judging by appearance; and human virtues: pity, love, and sacrifice. Some of the play's themes and plot devices resurface in Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Yeomen of the Guard" and "Princess Ida". Here, as in many of Gilbert's plays, we feel Gilbert's distrust of "heroes" in Florian's casual arrogance and cruelty, but we also see the character's real chivalry.