Dangerous Liaisons · Chapter
Letter 5: The Marchioness de Merteuil, to the Viscount Valmont explained
Merteuil rebukes Valmont for his infatuation with Madame de Tourvel, mocking her appearance and piety, and warns him of the futility and lack of glory in pursuing a prude.
What happens
Merteuil rebukes Valmont for his infatuation with Madame de Tourvel, mocking her appearance and piety, and warns him of the futility and lack of glory in pursuing a prude. She contrasts this with the more promising affair between Cecilia Volanges and Chevalier Danceny, and threatens to break off with her own lover, the Chevalier de Belleroche, out of frustration with Valmont's disobedience.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Manipulation
Merteuil manipulates Valmont by mocking his choice and threatening to withdraw her confidence, while also plotting to use Cecilia and Danceny for her own designs.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Merteuil dismisses Tourvel as a plain, prudish devotee, yet Valmont sees her as a worthy conquest; Merteuil's own threats to break with Belleroche are a performance of power.
Characters to notice
- Marchioness de Merteuil
Writes to Valmont, expressing anger and mockery at his pursuit of Tourvel, and threatening to break with Belleroche.
- Viscount de Valmont
Recipient of the letter; Merteuil criticizes his obsession with Tourvel and his refusal to obey her plans.
- Madame de Tourvel
Subject of Merteuil's scorn; described as a plain, prudish, devout woman unworthy of Valmont's attention.
- Cecilia Volanges
Mentioned as having made a conquest of Danceny; Merteuil suggests she is wild and easily led.
- Chevalier Danceny
Described as a young man infatuated with Cecilia, but too inexperienced to act decisively.
Key passages
“You possess the Presidente Tourvel! What a ridiculous extravagance! I here plainly perceive your downright folly, whose nature is to desire that you cannot obtain.”
Merteuil accuses Valmont of foolishly wanting what he cannot have, specifically Tourvel.
Merteuil mocks Valmont's pursuit as irrational and driven by unattainability.
“I am out of temper with you, and shall most certainly fall out with the Chevalier when he comes home. I would advise him to be mild, for at this time I should feel no difficulty to break with him.”
Merteuil threatens to break off with her lover Belleroche out of anger at Valmont.
She uses the threat of rupture to express her displeasure and assert control.