In discussions about Sense and Sensibility which emphasize the fact that Willoughby really did love Marianne, I find it interesting that some seem to argue that this fact supports the message of “sense is better than sensibility,” while others argue that it says something in favor of sensibility and makes the novel’s message not so simple.
On the one hand, as @firawren says, it reinforces that “love isn’t enough,” which is obviously a part of the message in favor of sense.
But at the same time, another argument I’ve read is that (a) Willoughby’s genuine love for Marianne prevents Marianne from seeming like an idiot, which keeps her from being entirely a “bad example” to Elinor’s “good example,” and (b) by choosing money over love, Willoughby chooses sense over sensibility, and it’s portrayed as a bad thing.
