This is interesting, boronia. Smitten doesn't necessarily always refer to good things, but I can't think of any uses of smite that normally would be considered a positive thing. Well, smite a blow for justice, maybe.
From Merriam-Webster:
Main Entry: smite
Pronunciation: 'smIt
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): smote /'smOt/; smit·ten /'smi-t&n/; or smote; smit·ing /'smI-ti[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English smItan to smear, defile; akin to Old High German bismIzan to defile
Date: 12th century
transitive senses
1 : to strike sharply or heavily especially with the hand or an implement held in the hand
2 a : to kill or severely injure by smiting b : to attack or afflict suddenly and injuriously <smitten by disease>
3 : to cause to strike
4 : to affect as if by striking <children smitten with the fear of hell -- V. L. Parrington>
5 : CAPTIVATE, TAKE <smitten with her beauty>
intransitive senses : to deliver or deal a blow with or as if with the hand or something held