Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 36: Viscount Valmont to the Presidente de Tourvel explained
Valmont writes a passionate and manipulative letter to Madame de Tourvel, defending himself against her severity and refusal to receive his letters.
What happens
Valmont writes a passionate and manipulative letter to Madame de Tourvel, defending himself against her severity and refusal to receive his letters. He recounts his arrival at Madame de Rosemonde's chateau, his growing admiration for Tourvel's beauty and virtue, and his eventual confession of love, which he frames as an involuntary and tragic consequence of her own virtuous actions. He pleads for her pity and mercy, positioning himself as a victim of hopeless love.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Valmont's entire letter is a calculated performance, using flattery, feigned vulnerability, and a narrative of victimhood to manipulate Tourvel's emotions and guilt her into responding.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Valmont presents himself as a sincere, suffering lover while his true intentions are strategic and predatory, highlighting the gap between his words and his actual character.
Characters to notice
- Viscount de Valmont
Author of the letter; employs elaborate rhetoric to portray himself as a sincere, suffering lover while manipulating Tourvel.
- Madame de Tourvel
Recipient of the letter; Valmont accuses her of severity and unjust judgment, and appeals to her virtue and mercy.
- Madame de Rosemonde
Mentioned as the host who pressed Valmont to stay at the chateau, providing the setting for his encounter with Tourvel.
Key passages
“Your severity, Madam, increases daily; and permit me to say, you seem to dread more being indulgent than unjust.”
You are becoming harsher every day, and it seems you are more afraid of being lenient than of being unfair.
Valmont accuses Tourvel of unjust severity, framing her refusal as a fear of kindness.
“I will, then, dare hope that you will forgive it; and that you will not be much surprised that love is more industrious to show itself than indifference is to banish it.”
I hope you will forgive this trick, since love is more eager to reveal itself than indifference is to drive it away.
Valmont justifies his deception by claiming love's natural persistence.
“I knew not you was here; and I must add with the sincerity that characterises me, had I known it, my repose would not have been disturbed.”
I did not know you were here, and I must honestly say that if I had known, my peace of mind would not have been troubled.
Valmont claims he was unaware of Tourvel's presence, asserting his usual composure.
“Your celestial soul astonished and seduced mine; I admired your beauty, but adored your virtue.”
Your heavenly soul amazed and captivated me; I admired your looks, but I worshipped your moral goodness.
Valmont elevates Tourvel's virtue as the true object of his adoration, a classic seduction tactic.
“Consumed by a hopeless love, I implore your pity, and you return me hate: no other happiness in view but that of gazing on you, my unconscious eyes seek you, and I tremble to meet your looks.”
Burning with hopeless love, I beg for your compassion, but you give me hatred; my only joy is to look at you, my eyes unconsciously search for you, and I shake when I meet your gaze.
Valmont paints himself as a tragic, helpless lover to evoke sympathy.