# Letter 4: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil explained — Dangerous Liaisons

> Chapter companion for Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.

## What happens

Valmont responds to Merteuil's orders with playful defiance, revealing his grand new project: seducing the devout and married Madame de Tourvel. He contrasts this challenging conquest with the easy seduction of a naive girl, expressing his desire for glory and pleasure. He describes his current stay at his aunt's chateau, where he feigns piety while secretly pursuing Tourvel, and reflects on the power of frustrated desire.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Manipulation

Valmont outlines his calculated plan to seduce Madame de Tourvel, viewing it as a strategic conquest that requires patience and deception.

### Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

Valmont feigns piety at mass and prayers to please his aunt, while secretly pursuing his libertine goals, illustrating the gap between appearance and reality.

### Gender and Power Dynamics

Valmont expresses contempt for women who resist, claiming that their weak defenses prevent men from becoming 'cowardly slaves,' revealing his view of seduction as a power struggle.

## Character check-ins

### Viscount de Valmont

Author of the letter; reveals his plan to seduce Madame de Tourvel, describing his strategic approach and disdain for easy conquests.

### Marchioness de Merteuil

Recipient of the letter; Valmont playfully addresses her as his former lover and current co-conspirator in their 'mission of love.'

### Madame de Tourvel

The target of Valmont's seduction; described as devout, married, and principled, making her a worthy challenge.

### Madame de Rosemonde

Valmont's elderly aunt, with whom he is staying; she is unaware of his true intentions and is edified by his feigned piety.

### M. de Tourvel

The President, Madame de Tourvel's husband; away in Burgundy on a lawsuit, leaving his wife vulnerable to Valmont's advances.

## Key lines

> Your orders are enchanting, and your manner of giving them still more delightful; you would even make one in love with despotism.

Valmont flatters Merteuil, saying her commanding style is so charming it makes him adore being ordered around.

_Opens the letter with playful banter, acknowledging Merteuil's authority while asserting his own independence._

> I must possess this woman, lest I should be so ridiculous as to be in love; for whither may we not be led by frustrated desire?

Valmont declares he must seduce Tourvel to avoid the humiliation of falling in love, fearing the consequences of unfulfilled longing.

_Reveals Valmont's fear of emotional vulnerability and his view of love as a weakness to be avoided._

> How happy it is for us, that the women make so weak a defence! Were it otherwise, we should be but their cowardly slaves.

Valmont expresses relief that women are easily seduced, as otherwise men would be their submissive servants.

_Highlights Valmont's misogynistic perspective and his belief in male dominance in romantic pursuits._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters/letter-4-the-viscount-de-valmont-to-the-marchioness-de-merteuil
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dangerous_liaisons_se/chapters