Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 110: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace engages in a self-justifying argument with Belford, questioning the foundations of Clarissa's virtue.
What happens
Lovelace engages in a self-justifying argument with Belford, questioning the foundations of Clarissa's virtue. He speculates that her virtue may be rooted in pride rather than principle, and rationalizes his plan to test her chastity. He reflects on her past correspondence with him as evidence of fallibility, and asserts that a wife's purity is paramount, even for a libertine husband.
Themes in this chapter
Libertinism and Morality
Lovelace rationalizes his libertine philosophy, arguing that virtue must be tested and that a wife's purity is non-negotiable even for a rake.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace questions whether Clarissa's virtue is genuine or merely a facade of pride, and plans to test her true character.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Writes to Belford, debating the nature of Clarissa's virtue and his own intentions.
- John Belford
The recipient of Lovelace's letter, addressed as 'Jack'.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Subject of Lovelace's scrutiny; he questions whether her virtue is based on pride or principle.
Key passages
“Is not, may not her virtue be founded rather in pride than in principle?”
Could Clarissa's virtue be based on pride rather than true moral principle?
Lovelace speculates that Clarissa's virtue may be a product of pride, not genuine principle.
“The wife of Caesar must not be suspected!”
A wife must be above suspicion, just as Caesar demanded of his own wife.
Lovelace invokes Caesar's standard to justify his own expectations of a wife's purity.
“I have a prodigious high opinion of virtue; as I have of all those graces and excellencies which I have not been able to attain myself.”
I greatly admire virtue, even though I have not achieved it myself.
Lovelace admits his admiration for virtue while acknowledging his own lack of it.