Jefferson in Paris: Temptation at the Opera

By Chris Hall

[1] While Jefferson may be best known for his sexual romps with Sally Hemings, it is often overlooked that while in Paris there was yet another woman in Jefferson’s life, a married woman by the name of Maria Cosway. It is not known if Jefferson ever did have sexual relations with her, but it is very plausible that the two at once found each others’ company. The ongoing courting of Maria Cosway by Jefferson throughout the film Jefferson in Paris is entertaining at best. Maria Cosway and Jefferson often find themselves in romantic situations throughout the film, but the situation that stands out the most is the scene with Maria Cosway and Jefferson at the opera (0:46:07). It is in this scene that the audience really begins to feel Jefferson’s romantic interest in Maria Cosway. While Jefferson may have found his true physical lust for Sally Hemings, Maria Cosway is almost certainly the lust of Jefferson’s romantic, poetic, and intellectual qualities.

[2] In this particular scene at the opera, Jefferson and Maria are alone in a box overlooking the performance on the stage. It is first important to note the circumstance of the two being alone in the first place. When Jefferson first arrives at the opera, he is welcomed by Richard, Maria’s husband, into the Cosway box. They all sit down for a bit and enjoy the opera, but Richard and his troop of friends leave quickly. Just as Richard is leaving the two alone, his body language hints that he is happy to leave them. It seems to the audience that Richard is fully away of what is going between Maria and Jefferson and is encouraging them to have such relations. It is akin to putting two dogs together so that they will mate. But why is Richard encouraging such interactions in the first place?

[3] Richard is portrayed by Simon Callow as flamboyant and pompous, which leads the audience to believe that he is a homosexual. In nearly every scene with Richard, he is exquisitely fashioned and, at times, is wearing more makeup than the ladies. Additionally, it is a fact that Maria married Richard to get out of poverty and has never truly been in love with him. At times in the movie, Richard strictly scrutinizes Maria’s appearance or her actions. Specifically, when Maria is playing the harp and singing, Richard appears to be criticizing her every note (0:24:30). He seems to almost be waiting for her to make a mistake so that he can comment on her flaws. In the eyes of Richard Cosway, Maria needs to be perfect in his company. Richard has married Maria in order to fulfill English society's standards -- especially those standards within the aristocracy. Therefore, Maria Cosway is just an accessory to Richard. Not to say Richard does not love and care for her, but he is unable to provide Maria with sexual gratification. Everything is merry or content in the Cosway’s marriage, just not their life in the bedroom. It is because of this void that Richard dangles Maria on the end of a fishing pole, hoping Jefferson, or some other heterosexual male, will come and satisfy that particular need of Maria Cosway.

[4] Jefferson is more than capable of satisfying Maria Cosway’s sexual desires, but he is more importantly satisfying his own intellectualism. Jefferson as portrayed by Nick Nolte is a charmer, a good poet, and a man seeking constant intellectual stimulation. It is this Jefferson that is attracted to Maria Cosway. With Maria Cosway, Jefferson can find pleasure in the exploration of her art and educating her on American culture. Jefferson does not waste time while they are alone in the box and uses his gentleman's charm and his poetic language in an attempt to woo her. As a result, Maria Cosway becomes actively engaged in Jefferson and his conversation. Additionally, their body language hints at their true feelings for one another. Jefferson is frequently leaning in towards Maria and, she is seen as sitting up straight looking content, but struggling to hold back her lust. Then Jefferson says, “I missed you, I missed you immensely... I love the lady, and will continue to love her forever. If she were on one side of the globe and I on the other, I would pierce through the whole mass of the world to reach her” (0:49:58).

[5] Maria begins to cry as she realizes that Jefferson is talking about her. They almost lean in and kiss. It is also worthy to note that Richard sees them from the opera floor through his telescope. The only repercussion from this engagement is Richard intentionally skipping meeting up with the Jeffersons before the dinner party in a later scene. This was a negligible punishment by Richard, who clearly knew what was going in the box during the opera. Would not a true husband have been furious?

[6] The scene at the opera between Jefferson and Maria Cosway brings to light a Jefferson who, after his wife’s death, is looking for a woman with whom he can really connect in an intellectual and a physical way. He is without a doubt attracted to her sexually but is hit with the obstacle that is her marriage to Richard. Richard sees her as an accessory and would be unwilling to part with her, even if that meant that they have an unhappy and unfulfilling marriage. Additionally, Maria Cosway herself teeters on the verge of cuckolding her husband Richard while she is in the company with Jefferson several times throughout the movie, but never fully commits in this portrayal. Maria Cosway would have almost certainly abandoned Richard if it were not for Sally Hemings’s entrance into Jefferson’s life in Paris.